Last night, when we gathered in this sacred place, we spoke of the great love of God for us, of the greatness of man, as Christmas and the nativity scene so eloquently speak of. But we only briefly hinted that the love of God and our greatness, which God has shown us, also require our great responsibility. Is the world around us interested in such a great reality?
Several years ago, a young man from a Catholic family came to Paris. He graduated with distinction from the gymnasium and is now entering the École Normale, one of those higher Parisian schools where the best of French youth gather. He is filled with enthusiasm for his faith. He is equipped with the answers to all the questions and problems that could challenge his faith from any angle. He knows that there is not a single one that he has not studied, thought through, and lived. He is confident of his victory and is looking forward to bringing happiness to his colleagues as well. But instead of success, he faces sad disappointment. Something unexpected happened. No one objects to his faith. No one objects to the fact that he – the now famous philosopher Maurice Blondel (1861-1949) – needs to have a religion. They are satisfied with a different life purpose: the ideal of the nation, art, politics, sports, science, social activity, pleasure, … And the meaning of life? They are not interested in it. It does not bother anyone if another person has a faith if he wants to, but let him not disturb others with such things. Blondel is devastated. So people know how to live without having to think about their own meaning of life. About the primary meaning of life!
That was years ago. However, our country is facing similar challenges today. In our nation, the situation is even more difficult. So many around us are full of other interests. Yes, there are different times and different states of people; one can have different interests. And it is not necessary to have them all. Do you think, dear parishioners, that it is not required to be interested in Christ? If only we did not have to meet him at least once! If only it were possible to avoid it! But Christ is the critical point of every person. Of every person! He represents a crisis for every nation and every era, because “He is destined for the fall and the rising of many.”
The relationship to his person at this time, in this earthly life, determines the whole of eternity, into which everyone will enter one day. Jesus is the destiny of the world. Whether one believes in him or not, whether one heeds him or not. If a person or a nation accepts Jesus and his words, they will live. A person will live eternally and happily, and a nation will live in safety and peace. If a person does not accept Jesus, they will perish. If a nation does not accept Jesus and his principles, they will disrupt their order and security. I am not saying this in vain; the past teaches this, and the present proves it! Without exception! In our country and in the whole world, without Christ and his principles. The Ten Commandments, the family, society, and the individual fall apart; everything goes astray, and man is afraid of man…! All this in connection with Christmas—that it does not fulfill the content of the angelic song at the birth of Jesus: Glory to God—peace to the people!
Sisters and brothers. As we are here, we are certainly all interested in divine things, in Jesus in Bethlehem, and in his gospel, the good news for the world. But those who do not have that interest – and there are many in our family—should at least pause at the appearance of Jesus in the poor manger and at least ask themselves carefully, “Who is this?
