PRESIDENT'S ACECI MESSAGE

Today after 2000 years after the birth of Jesus the Christian world celebrates Christmas joining the angels and the shepherds, the least ones of the societies in praising God for the marvels of the Son of God being born as a human being! During this season the Christians every where are trying to fathom the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God as a human person as they kneel in front of Jesus in the crib, which they have made in their homes and Churches. In fathoming the mystery, questions may arise in their hearts “What is the secret of you, Jesus in being born as a man?” and “Jesus, what is your message for me today as you lie in the manger?”

We may find clear answers to these two questions from a scene in the ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told”. Jesus has chosen as his disciples – apostles – Simon Peter, his brother Andrew and John. All three are ordinary fisher men. As Jesus walks with the three disciples they have to pass the toll naka of the tax collector Mathew. Mathew asks the disciples, “Does your Master has anything to declare?”

The disciples inform the tax collector that indeed their Master has much to declare.

Mathew is delighted that Jesus has much to declare as he expects much tax from Jesus and he asks them the details of things to be declared.

“Our master has an abundance of love for you to declare,” the disciples said. Mathew cannot believe his ears that Jesus has an abundance of love for him! The Jews people despised him for serving the Romans as a tax collector and they considered him a sinner and the enemy of the Jewish people! But here is Jesus, the great Master declaring an abundance of love in stead of despising him!

Mathew instantly leaves his lucrative business of tax collecting and follows Jesus as his disciple.

Yes. The Christians believe that God the Father loves each and everyone of us and the entire humanity. And Jesus has taken the human form as one among us to reveal that great, unconditional love of God for you and me and the entire humanity. So the Baby Jesus in the manger reveals God’s unconditional love.

Now the basic question is do we recognize the unconditional love of God for men and women? And how do you and I respond to that unconditional love? These are the question Jesus asks you and me lying in the manger.

Fr Varghese Paul, SJ
PRESIDENT ACECI Back