Dear All,
The Christmas and New Year message from His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I
Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East is given in the following link:
http://socmnet.org/Bull_HH/HH_Easter_Msg_2009.jpg
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Ignatius Zakka I Iwas
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church
No.E206/09
17-December-2009
Apostolic Benediction to our beloved Metropolitans and to our beloved spiritual
children: the Reverend clergy and the faithful of all our Malankara Syrian
Jacobite churches and congregations in the Arabian Gulf Region, North America,
Europe, Australia and Singapore.
At this august occasion of the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, we have much delight to extend to you all, our paternal
greetings and prayerful best wishes of a Merry Christmas. The blessed Apostle
Matthew quotes the prophecy of Isaiah about the birth of our Lord: “Behold, a
virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel,
which means, God with us” (1:23). In the fullness of time, the Light of God,
whom the prophets and generations eagerly awaited, came and took birth in this
world. He came to bring heaven down to earth and to be with His creation. But
ironically, those awaited him were unable to realize and receive Him. Even after
2000 years, millions of the children of God grope in darkness without grasping
the real Light of the World.
When we celebrate this feast, we have to re-examine ourselves to see if we have
provided for Him to be with us and whether our hearts are eligible to be His
abode. Jesus told: “the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head”. Many bear the
name Christian, but have not given room for Jesus Christ to stay with them. Our
Lord Jesus keeps on knocking at the doors of our hearts waiting for us to open
our doors for him (Rev.3:20). He wishes to come into us and live with us.
Our dear spiritual children, the uncertainties of this world are disheartening.
The current financial recession and the associated crises are immediate
examples. Even in this high-tech era, calculations and expectations of human
fail pathetically. In a way, such eventualities sarcastically question the human
expertises and his technological achievements. Many have sadly lost their jobs
and business and are suffering. But we have to remember the promise of our Lord,
to be with us for ever (Matthew 28:20). At the same time, reckon that, Jesus has
not promised: there won’t be any suffering or pain for His faithful. But He
told: “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.” (John 16:33). The proponents of the so called ‘gospel of prosperity’
are the false prophets, who misguide people for their vested motives. But what
really matters is, whether Jesus Christ is with us. He told: Abide in me, and I
in you (John 15:4). His promise to be with us, is never failing. Hence we should
never allow fear or worries about future, dominate our spiritual life. Wait for
God. His presence with us and His loving grace and power, will open new doors
for us and enable us to go ahead with a renewed zest and vigour. May the
celebrations of this Christmas enable us to open our doors for our God-Immanuel
and let Him be with us. We wish you all a Blessed New Year and extend our
Apostolic blessings to you. May the grace of God be with you all.
(sd)
Copies to : All Metropolitans in Charge of the Gulf Regions, Europe, Australia,
Singapore, and North America
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