In his homily at Mass, the Chaldean patriarch recalls the “increasingly serious” crises afflicting the planet: divisions, conflicts and injustices. The issue of “minorities” “increasingly oppressed” as well as those “displaced” by the war. The reconstruction of Iraq from its origins and values, to rebuild trust in the “social fabric”.
Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Christmas arrives “at a time when the world is suffering” increasingly serious crises such as the “murderous war” between Ukraine and Russia, as well as “divisions, conflicts and injustices” in many parts of the country. These are the words of the Chaldean primate, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, in his homily of the Mass to the priests and faithful of the Arab country and the diaspora throughout the world, transmitted in advance for AsiaNews. In his text, the cardinal recalls “in specific minorities” increasingly oppressed, object of violence and theft, as well as those “displaced” by conflicts fueled by “different positions and interests. “However, Christ’s birth “teaches faith” through the “continual presence of God in our midst,” a presence that is “eternal” in love and mercy.
The midnight mass, which is expected to be attended by the patriarchate’s resources, will be attended by President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al Sudani and institutional and devout Christian and Muslim figures. A moment of contemplation and unity, in the face of the threat of a new extremist drift as evidenced by the attacks of recent days. “Iraq,” observes the Chaldean primate, “is a country of civilizations, cultures and glories, with wonderful personalities of all religions. It is time to return to our origins and values, strengthen ourselves to establish ourselves as true with the social fabric and teach ourselves to conform to diversity The following is the full text of Cardinal Sako’s homily:
Christmas is a theological commission in the point of faith, of the human being and of life, which is to help a user of non-secular and ethical values to live in love and peace with others.
Christmas is not just a two-thousand-year-old anniversary birthday party or a folkloric occasion with an outdoor appeal, such as decorations, gifts, visits. Christmas teaches us, through explanation and religion, the continual presence of God among us, an eternal presence with his love and mercy. A Christmas hymn says, “When my soul dissolves into the being of God, I am in Christmas. “Christ came here to unite and draw us closer, to expand our relationships in a spirit of brotherhood and tranquility, so let us welcome him with a new spirit to triumph in the fullness of the human and non-secular values he taught us. Let’s not let dinner pass like calendar days, as Pope Francis said 3 weeks ago at the Angelus.
Christmas will not end, and the hope of a new humanity capable of living in peace, love and forgiveness remains a living preference at the center of each and every human being: “On Christmas night, hatred is annihilated, the earth flourishes, war is abolished, love germinates. “That hope will have to continue. It is regrettable that this Christmas comes at a time when the world is suffering increasingly serious crises such as the murderous war between Ukraine and Russia, and divisions, conflicts and injustices in Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, where citizens, and especially minorities, have oppressed, subjected to violence and theft, the deficient and displaced, because of conflicts and other positions and interests.
The total global will have to realize that wars are disasters and conflicts are defeats; This approach will have to be prevented and discussion through international relations will have to be initiated for problems. In addition, other people’s wickedness will have to realize that evil will not last and that God will hold them accountable. Only intelligence remains, and even if it is small, it is a blessing.
Jesus experienced what we are living today: Jewish figures like Anna and Caiaphas attacked Him; politicians, such as King Herod and the Roman governor Pilate, feared him and acted to liquidate and crucify him. However, God raised him from the dead, which is why our Muslim brothers and sisters call him “Jesus the living. “
Our fears and longings place in the birth and resurrection of Christ the hope of a satisfied end: “When we fill our hearts with hope, we are at Christmas. This hope energizes the hearts of the intelligent and unites their efforts to end people’s suffering by building a wider environment, in which each and every citizen, regardless of color, finish or religion, lives with dignity, freedom and pride.
Christmas teaches us to be agents of peace, charity, defense of the oppressed, relief of orphans, widows and poor, and we grow and expand without a non-secular life, ethical values and cooperation to repair harmony in this world. Created by God who entrusted it to us to organize, maintain and prosper it.
Iraq is a country of civilizations, cultures and glories, with wonderful personalities of all religions. It is time to return to our origins and values, to build what is true in the social fabric and to teach ourselves to conform to diversity, to consolidate coexistence and constancy in the homeland that welcomes everyone under the rule of civic equality. This assignment is not the exclusive competence of the Prime Minister; Citizens have a wonderful duty with their support, cooperation and fear to shield the unity and sovereignty of the country and its progress so that everyone can live in peace and happiness. In all honesty, there is no other way. Let us pray and say: O Lord of peace, grant peace and stability to our country and the world.
Happy holidays and happy new year. Long Iraq!
* Cardinal, Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans
In his homily at Mass, the Chaldean patriarch recalls the “increasingly serious” crises afflicting the planet: divisions, conflicts and injustices. The issue of “minorities” “increasingly oppressed” as well as those “displaced” by the war. The reconstruction of Iraq from its origins and values, to rebuild trust in the “social fabric”.