Jesus comes to us as the Prince of Peace

Peace is the message of Christmas.

Jesus comes to us as the prince of peace. He comes to bring unity into our world torn by so much strife.

In his Christmas message just released yesterday, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales said that the message of Christmas has to be repeated over and over again in order to make it sink deeply into our consciousness, that it may become part of us.

Peace has never become so elusive as it is now. Countries at war with one another; ethnic groups locked in armed conflict; families separated because of economic reasons; relationships between friends that has gone sour because of misunderstanding…

The recent bombing in Iligan was a testament on how elusive the attainment of peace can be. It happened just few months after armed clashes between government forces and Muslim separatist rebels that resulted to loss of lives and properties. The people have not yet recovered fully from the trauma caused by displacement and loss of loved ones, and again this bombing happened which also claimed lives and wounded scores of civilians.

We all long for peace, for understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, but we fail to do our share in the pursuit of peace.

Cardinal Rosales said peace is only possible for the person who loves. Indeed, even how much we long for peace if our hearts are full of hatred and selfishness, peace will remain an elusive dream.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Lk 2:14

We really have to sincerely seek peace if we want it to become a reality in the here and now.

Here we are challenged to put ahead the good of others before our own just as Jesus did. He became one like us, stepping on our shoes, showing us that everything is possible to a person who loves…

As the song goes, “the real meaning of Christmas is the giving of love everyday.” And where there is love peace is not far behind.