20141225 CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR AS THE CAUSE OF REJOICING
Readings
at Mass
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First reading
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Isaiah 9:1-7 ©
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The people that
walked in darkness
has seen a great
light;
on those who live in
a land of deep shadow
a light has shone.
You have made their
gladness greater,
you have made their
joy increase;
they rejoice in your
presence
as men rejoice at
harvest time,
as men are happy when
they are dividing the spoils.
For the yoke that was
weighing on him,
the barb across his
shoulders,
the rod of his
oppressor,
these you break as on
the day of Midian.
For all the footgear
of battle,
every cloak rolled in
blood,
is burnt,
and consumed by fire.
For there is a child
born for us,
a son given to us
and dominion is laid
on his shoulders;
and this is the name
they give him:
Wonder-Counsellor,
Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father,
Prince-of-Peace.
Wide is his dominion
in a peace that has
no end,
for the throne of
David
and for his royal
power,
which he establishes
and makes secure
in justice and integrity.
From this time
onwards and for ever,
the jealous love of
the Lord of Hosts will do this.
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Psalm
|
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Psalm
95:1-3,11-13 ©
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Today a saviour
has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.
O sing a new song to
the Lord,
sing to
the Lord all the earth.
O sing to
the Lord, bless his name.
Today a saviour
has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.
Proclaim his help day
by day,
tell
among the nations his glory
and his
wonders among all the peoples.
Today a saviour
has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens
rejoice and earth be glad,
let the
sea and all within it thunder praise,
let the land and all
it bears rejoice,
all the
trees of the wood shout for joy
at the presence of
the Lord for he comes,
he comes
to rule the earth.
Today a saviour
has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.
With justice he will
rule the world,
he will
judge the peoples with his truth.
Today a saviour
has been born to us: he is Christ the Lord.
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Second reading
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Titus 2:11-14 ©
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God’s grace has been
revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and
taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead
to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good
and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope
for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great
God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us
free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very
own and would have no ambition except to do good.
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Gospel
Acclamation
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Lk2:10-11
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Alleluia, alleluia!
I bring you news of
great joy:
today a saviour has
been born to us, Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
|
Luke 2:1-14 ©
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Caesar Augustus
issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census –
the first – took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone
went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth
in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem,
since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with
Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came
for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first born. She
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no
room for them at the inn.
In the
countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in
turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to
them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the
angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to
be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been
born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a
baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the
angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:
‘Glory to God in the
highest heaven,
and
peace to men who enjoy his favour.’
CHRIST
OUR SAVIOUR AS THE CAUSE OF REJOICING
SCRIPTURE
READINGS: ISAIAH 9:1-7; PSALM 95:1-3,11-13; TITUS 2:11-14; LUKE 2:1-14
What is the reason for
the great rejoicing, merry making and celebration in the world? Often, we receive so-called Christmas
cards that say, “Season’s greetings.” What does it really mean? Are
we celebrating because of the winter season? If that were the case, we
might have to send out cards for spring, summer and autumn seasons too.
Why should this time of the year be one of celebration? Indeed,
what is the cause of our celebration? This is the crux of today’s theme
for the Mass.
What are the reasons for
non-Christians celebrating this season? Many in the world are celebrating simply because
everyone else is celebrating. Many are just joining the crowd and the
fun. So it is a good occasion to have fun, make merry, dine and do
catching up. It is more a social affair. For others, it is a time
of giving of gifts to show our love for our loved ones. Many would go out
of the way to help the poor as well. Maybe it is a time to celebrate
because we have received our bonus. For all, it is a time of peace and
love. But, why this time of the year and not at other times?
Of course, such motives for
celebrating are not bad. But the cause of the celebration is not well
founded. The peace and joy and love that we seek will not last for
more than a day. Dinners and parties will end with hangovers.
Gifts will be thrown away after some time. The fact remains: pleasures,
things and human love do not give us lasting peace, joy and love. They
are certainly welcome and they are important to give us a reprieve, but it is
only a reprieve. Then, like the Israelites, we will still be carrying the
yoke of slavery, shame and wars.
Hence, it is important
that we go back to the heart of the celebration. What is the reason for our
celebration? What is the cause of rejoicing? What is the cause of
giving and loving? What is the cause of our joy and peace?
Repeatedly, the scripture readings tell us this, “Today a saviour has been
born to us: he is Christ the Lord.” Indeed, this is the only reason
for our celebration. Everything else flows from this all important
Christ. The material and social festivities and gifts flow from this
truth. It is because Christ has saved us that we are rejoicing and
celebrating. And this joy in our hearts is then expressed concretely in
our love for others, especially those who are without joy.
This divine joy and
peace we are experiencing can only come from without; not from within us.
This is the meaning of
our Christmas celebration. We did not come from ourselves, hence we cannot
save ourselves. In such a gloomy world the Good news is that light has
shone. St Paul wrote to Titus. “God’s grace has been revealed, and it
has made salvation possible for the whole human race.” Indeed, as Isaiah said,
“The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live
in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness
greater, you have made their joy increase.”
But the world is trying
to make us forget the cause of our celebration. As I have said earlier, when we
meet during this period, the world is saying we cannot wish each other “Merry
and holy Christmas” but “compliments of the season!” When the Hindus
celebrate Deepavali, do we wish them, “compliments of the season” or “Happy
Deepavali”? Same for the Muslims when they celebrate Hari Raya, do we
wish them, “compliments of the seasons” or “Selamat Hari Raya”? The world
wants to remove Christ from the celebration of Christmas. In some places,
to wish someone “Merry Christmas” is to impose our faith on others.
So the critical question
is “do you need a saviour?” The world says, “No!” We can save ourselves. We do
not need God. Science and technology can save us. Is this
true? Can science and technology save the world? Yes, they can
invent new things and make life more comfortable, but can they satisfy the
human heart, spirit and soul? Is happiness merely economic success?
Can money make us happy and secure? If so, then all the richest people
should be happy and secure! Can they give us meaning in life? Can they
change the human heart? Can they remove sins from our nature? Can
they make us loving, honest and caring people? Can they give us inner
peace and joy? If so, why is it that in spite of advancements in science
and technology, there are more wars and divisions in the world and even in the
family? Can science and technology resurrect our bodies when we
die? Can they assure us of everlasting love and life? Only,
everlasting peace, joy and love can give us lasting happiness in life.
The truth is that the
scripture readings say we are all under the yoke of sin. St Paul reminds the Christians
that the cause of division and unhappiness is wicked ambition and selfishness.
It is living an indulgent and unrestrained life, without discipline and
direction.
So who can release us
from the yoke of sin?
Isaiah says, “For the yoke that was weighing on him, the barb across his
shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian.
For all the footgear of battle, every cloak rolled in blood, is burnt, and
consumed by fire.” Only the messiah who is our Prince of Peace
will give us peace. This is what Isaiah says, “For there is a child
born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this
is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father,
Prince-of-Peace.”
This promise of the
messiah is fulfilled in Christ. He is as the angels said, “Do not be afraid. Listen, I
bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in
the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Jesus, the messianic king coming from the House of David as the gospel says, He
is our messianic King. He will restore peace in our lands. “Wide is
his dominion in a peace that has no end, for the throne of David and for his
royal power, which he establishes and makes secure in justice and integrity.
From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love of the Lord of Hosts will
do this.”
But how will He save
us? Not by might or power! Not through military might and arms. Not by force
or compulsion! Not by threat or manipulation! These are the ways of the
world. He comes as a humble King. He is one with us. The
angel said, “And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in
swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” He lives in poverty and shares our
humanity. St Paul wrote, “He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us
free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own
and would have no ambition except to do good.” He “taught us that what we have
to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly
ambitions.” He reveals to us the secret of the joy of giving. He teaches
us to forgive by forgiving us in His Father’s name and His own enemies on the
Cross. He reveals to us the love and Mercy of God by His deeds and words
and miracles. In Him we see His Father’s face. He shows us how to love
unto death. He conquered death by dying and gives us Hope for eternal
life. Most of all, He gives us His Holy Spirit as a foretaste of eternal
life and to empower us to do what He did. Because of Jesus, we are
reconciled with the Father and with each other. We see each other as sons
and daughters of God. He has given us back our dignity as freed men and
women.
For this reason, we love
everyone. We share our gifts with others. Hence, like the psalmist
we rejoice, “O
sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the
Lord, bless his name. Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his
glory and his wonders among all the peoples. Let the heavens rejoice and earth
be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it
bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the
Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. With justice he will rule the
world, he will judge the peoples with his truth.” Indeed, we
rejoice because He has delivered us from our sins, and given us, hope, meaning,
direction, joy and peace and love and unity. This is the cause for our
celebration tonight. Let us never forget this, otherwise our celebration
will not last and the joy and peace will not last.
Finally, we must now
live as He lived, if we were to rejoice not just tonight but always. But let us not only do it
at Christmas but every day in our lives. We celebrate with food, with
gifts and reaching out to the poor, the lonely, the abandoned, those in
bereavement, those are who sick, so that this joy will increase as we share
like Jesus. We do them not merely out of humanitarian reason but because
of God’s love in our hearts and because that is the way to share in God’s love
in Christ by doing what He did. As we have received the love of God in
Christ, the greatest gift of Himself in Jesus, let us in turn be gifts to
others through the gifts we bring, but most of all, by our presence, love and
encouragement. Let us give joy to those who are sad, hope to those who
are hopeless and meaning to those who are in despair, love to those who are
unloved. In this way, Christ is born not only at Christmas but in our
hearts because He lives in us. Whenever there is joy, peace and love in
our hearts, then every day is Christmas. We become Christ and are identified
as one of His own.
WRITTEN BY THE MOST REV
WILLIAM GOH
ARCHBISHOP
OF SINGAPORE
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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