Christmas message from Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe

NEWS RELEASE

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SAULT STE. MARIE

************************* Christmas message 2008 - His Excellency, Jean-Louis Plouffe, bishop of Sault Ste. Marie

Messiah and messiahs - Every generation has its messiahs.

In the Old Testament, the king or some other notable individual was sometimes confused with the much anticipated Messiah.

The expectation was that he would be somewhat like the lieutenant of God on earth who would restore the kingdom of Israel.

Times have not significantly changed, as we see in the historical victory of Barack Obama where the headlines of a Canadian daily newspaper read: "A Messiah is Born."

The media effectively interpreted expectations which the president-elect of the United States instilled within the American people throughout his election campaign.

The people agreed with Obama’s inspirational speeches which created a certain hope in many countries of the world.

More notably, his speeches evoked some of the most profound human aspirations: the desire for truth and transparency, peace and harmony, sharing and solidarity among people from all walks of life.

However, immediately following his victory announcement, Obama reminded everyone of the harsh realities before us as we endeavour to speak to the difficulties of a rapidly expanding global economic recession.

As we hear of various government programs around the world intended to boost the economy, it seems that the price of greed which led to the 2008 stock market crash will fall upon the shoulders of the middle class.

As Christmas approaches, we are tempted to create a festive ambiance allowing us to escape the reality of what is going on in our world.

If only this uncertain situation would motivate us to open our hearts toward others and to help us truly welcome our Messiah, born more than two thousand years ago and whose birth we will soon celebrate once again.

This Messiah is very different from the messiah people were waiting for.

He did not arrive with a great fanfare; on the contrary, His mission as Messiah began very humbly and poorly in Bethlehem and continued through to His death on a cross. From His humble beginnings and throughout his life, He travelled to cities and villages proclaiming His Good News to the world in order to awaken lost hope.

Not only did He proclaim the Good News, He lived it by embracing the lot of children, women, strangers, the humble, the poor, the sick and victims of all sorts of oppression.

By His Resurrection and the outpouring of His Spirit, He wanted us to finally come to embrace God, to open our hearts to others and live our lives accordingly.

I remain personally convinced that the Child Jesus continues to be the most reliable reference for all who seek truth and meaning in their lives.

With Him, we have more than beautiful words; we have the assurance that Emmanuel - God-with-us, walks by our side, often in front of us levelling paths which indeed would be more difficult without Him.

It is by walking in His footsteps that we can foster love and hope around us, in spite of everything.

It is by following Him that we can be agents of reconciliation as the United Nations have invited us to celebrate the “International Year of Reconciliation” in 2009. It is by imitating Him in our very selves that we can live in solidarity with one another.

Blessed Mother Teresa once said: “The one who gives joyfully gives the most.”

Therefore, during this Christmas Season, let us give joyfully to those less fortunate and to all those around us.

Above all, let us give ourselves totally to the only Messiah who can make a difference in our lives and enable us to live a more spiritual life.

May this coming Christmas, marked by a global economic crisis, find us less focussed on material abundance and more centred upon the true values that the pure love of God alone, born humbly and poorly as a child in a manger, can freely give us.

A Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year 2009!

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