UDUPI: In a world filled with violence, inequality, injustice, poverty, disease, deprivation, intolerance and hatred – eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth – is not the solution to the problem. It is only love which can redeem the world. Jesus was born on this earth, in order to love everyone and teach them the way of love, noted most Rev Gerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Udupi diocese in his Christmas Eve message to society on Wednesday.
World celebrates the birth of Christ without distinction of caste, creed and religion. Jesus, the son of god is the centre of this great celebration. For love of humankind, God became man, and was as an infant. This is the mystery of Christmas. It teaches men how to live as a human that the son of god became man. Christmas reminds us that we are bearers of god with the duty of conveying Jesus to those around us by loving them as Jesus did, he said.
Jesus brought the good news that our god is a loving, forgiving, merciful, and rewarding and not a judgmental, cruel, punishing god, the Bishop said. “He demonstrated by his life and teaching how god, our heavenly father loves us, forgives us, provides for us, and rewards us. Each Christmas reminds us that sharing love with others is our Christian privilege and duty, and every time we do that, Jesus is reborn in our lives,” the Bishop reminded.
God is the source of peace. He is our peace. Jesus has promised us the same peace – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives, the bishop said. Jesus who rose from the dead tells us – Shalom – Peace be to you. Love one another and be at peace. Where there is peace, there will be brotherhood, harmony, and co-existence too. “Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called children of God,” he added.