CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2009

          Two thousand years after the coming of Christ Jesus, the Prince ofPeace, the world He taught to live in harmony still remained teetering in aprecarious search for Peace. The much-sought for tranquil life withdrew farther from the reach of humans because people had put their selfish ambitions and greed first before the possession of the common good of all.

          It is not equality that peace looks after, but a sufficiency to own and consume what a noble life needs and what human dignity requires.

          If we survey our surroundings and see the poverty around us—the selfish ambitions and the pride, including the degenerate ways of governance bereft of inspiration and good example from leaders, the inhumanity in today’s crimes and the shamelessness in many a crime among irresponsible leaders—the question remains the same as before, “Is peace a possibility?”

          Peace, as a required respect and love for everyone, is a reality that has often been beclouded by greed and dishonest behavior. But despite all efforts to stop wars and violence, peace can only begin in the heart of man. When someone desires what is good for everyone including self, peace can become an accepted reality. Peace is not within the grasp of a person whose only interest is self. To make His disciples men of peace, the Lord Jesus trained them to love beyond selfish interest, even to the point of offering the sacrifice of one’s life.

          Peace is also the consequence of a good choice, whether the choice is to have enough to eat or to select a man who will honestly lead others to progress. “…Peace will come to everyone who does good” (Romans 2:10). Any person, who performs real good, no matter how imperceptible that good act is, will inevitably bring in peace.

          The coming year 2010 is the nation’s year of choice for honest, selfless and God-fearing leaders who will serve with honesty, simplicity and humility. Arrogant leaders, who, in the past, thought that the nation could not go forward without them, had always been failures; and they had, unfortunately, brought the country down with them.

          The ultimate solution to our election problems does not exactly depend on the automated machines but in the well thought of, more seriously considered, and much prayed for choice (vote), regardless of money or favor, but considered only for the good of everyone, and not just for the interest of a few (family, clan or group). That looks like an ideal so difficult and so nearly impossible to attain, this side of the present Philippine political practice. This is the reason why we need the reminders of the Lord, who came teaching people the need for discipline and sacrifice (under the expression of the cross) in order to attain the path to peace and success.

     With joy, then, we greet the Lord’s coming that in the end we may arrive at a lasting and welcoming peace. Blessings to All!

+GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila