Mangaluru: “Every human being, created by God, is His seeker. Even an atheist who denies the existence of God, searches for the infinite God more than a theist”, said Mangaluru Bishop Most Rev. Dr. (Fr) Peter Paul Saldanha on Wednesday, December 19.
While delivering the Christmas message at the Bishop’s House in Kodialbail, he said, “Christmas is the celebration of the birth of God among us. Every December we specially think of this great event, and we ask, ‘Why did God become man?’ It is a continuous search. With constant search, the heart and mind of a seeker is encountered with the perfect love and truth revealed by God in the form of Jesus Christ, in the mystery of Incarnation. This is the essence of Christmas”, he said.
“Human being’s ascending movement towards God, God’s descending movement towards human beings have become concrete in the form of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe as true God and true man. Thus every man and woman in some way shares the nature of Jesus”, he opined.
“God became human in the person of Jesus Christ who was conceived in the womb of Mother Mary with the power of the Holy Spirit. He was born in a manger at Bethlehem to lift back the fallen human being. The birth of Jesus brought joy to the world. When we live in favour with God, we experience true peace. Living and sharing the same peace with fellow beings propagates brotherhood.
Humanity goes beyond the religious boundaries. Christians believe that God is the beginning and end (alpha and omega). We find our existence in God, and we unite with Him through our brethren. When all human beings live as brothers and sisters in service, respect and honor, they experience true peace and this is the experience of Bandutva/ brotherhood”, the Bishop said.
“The whole creation rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. Human beings, due to their selfishness, destroy the creation. Let Jesus who came to save the world from its sins and who reigns on the earth be born in our hearts and minds.
Jesus who was born in utter poverty, offers himself as the greatest gift to humanity during Christmas. When we adore Jesus in joy and happiness let us also become a gift to others. As we celebrate Christmas, let us and accept all human beings as brothers and sisters. This is the essence of our human existence, this is the real Bandutva,” he added.
Msgr. Maxim L Noronha-Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Victor George D’Souza-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo & Marcel Monteiro-PROs, Melwyn Noronha, Secretary, Diocesan Pastoral Council, Fr. Richard D’Souza, Director CCC and Elias Fernandes, Media Adviser were present.
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