The birth of Jesus of Nazareth that Christian liturgies celebrated by singing " A savior is born " is at once good news to the shepherds and the Magi of this world but very bad news for all the Herods of the earth.
cultural envelope within which it has stamped the "mystery " does more to separate those for whom Christmas is really good news for those who it can only be bad news. Indeed it is the latter who first, draw the best profit and relapsed This festival, celebrated both at the foot of trees, shining with all their lights, and carried by these melodies that elevate the heart to the highest heavens. As we celebrate Christmas in the mood for a consumer society is no longer quite the same as that celebrated by shepherds and magi. He no longer carries the message of the prophets who predicted the liberator, the Messiah, the savior of the people on earth.
I just finished reading the book Yves Carrier on Archbishop Romero, HISTORY OF A PEOPLE, FOR A MAN . It is obvious that the conversion of the latter to the Gospel and to pastoral liberation of the poor has made it a symbol of hope for them and invariably kill an enemy to the powers that be . The day he ceased to be a character in the decor of the oligarchies and the powers that be (Herod), he then became a witness to the coming of the kingdom of God, of hope and inconsistent, the because even with the dominant powers.
The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is the beginning of the reign of power of this world characterized by the domination of peoples and the enslavement of the humble, by hypocrisy and lies, by pride and conceit. Let us not think that wars conducted openly in Afghanistan, Palestine, nor those conducted surreptitiously in various countries of Latin America, Africa and Asia, are there to liberate the poor, to bring peace to the humble, freedom for prisoners, truth and transparency in the world. These wars are mainly aimed at strengthening the dominant powers, control of wealth, elimination of those who resist them . It is obvious that such goals are not like that said bluntly in the world. Through the media at their disposal, they are wrapped noblest of causes such as democracy, human rights, especially the fight against those "monsters" who belong inevitably to the axis of evil . So they come to become saviors. They care little torture, assassinations, military coups which are craftspersons. Again the means to hide their shame they can turn them to their advantage. It seems that the moment of truth has already begun to break this wall of cheating.
The Christmas message should make bare the forces that are still resisting the coming of the kingdom of God. must lament that the courage of the prophet is not always the rendezvous of those who currently dominate the ecclesiastical institution . They prefer the language of platitudes, an abstract terminology, the output of local history. The words "love" - "Justice" - "truth" - "peace" become, in their mouths, soulless and content . They are become characters in a system that knows how to play a role that is likely to strengthen rather than demolish it. They have nothing to fear from these powerful. They are part of the family and they can sleep.
Christmas is this hope that Mary approached during his visit to her cousin Elizabeth:
" He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the men beautiful heart
He put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble,
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty "(Lk . 51-53)
If we look at the world we live in, that of Quebec, United States, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East and we wonder where are the forces that seek to disperse the arrogant of heart, to topple the mighty from their thrones and raise up the lowly, filling the hungry with good and send the rich away empty, what will our response be? This is probably another way of asking the question "who benefits actions that are undertaken" by our governments, oligarchies, our armed forces and those powers . Where do our local support, regional, national and international ?
The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is good news for all people of good will, for the meek of the earth and work for justice, truth, only foundation for true peace . As believers and believers in Jesus we take this belief and we bear witness according to the gifts of the Spirit. Many have already lost their lives, others have stopped responding to calls of history. Christmas is the call of all people of goodwill to work for a world of justice, truth, respect and solidarity.
Merry Christmas in the spirit of the promise.
Oscar
Fortin Quebec, December 12, 2010
0 comments:
Post a Comment