Christmas 2025
You can guess where I have been this year - Notre Dame
cathedral, in Paris. My visit there told
me that it is more than a church. It is a
spiritual oasis, an icon of history and church, within which I lost myself. This is easily my highlight for 2025.
Like most around me, I too often become overwhelmed by
the craziness of our world which, at times, looks like it is going into free
fall. Then when I think I am too focused
on what is going wrong, I turn to Pope Leo and see hope in action. I may be one of a multitude in our world, but
I know Bob Prevost, now the Pope, for he is very much a part of our Order. Knowing him, I find my mind turning to the
trivial. As I read his stories of good
works, I ask myself questions like how does the Pope buy his tennis shoes, as
he loves tennis. It is good to always
keep a sense of perspective and humor.
Like everyone else in the world, my year has had its
fair share of challenges and down moments, but nothing like those living in the
Gazas of our world. Too many places and
people know war and harsh suffering. Acknowledging
that, while not ignoring it, I must say that my year has been blessed with a
loving family and Order, such great friends and a vibrant community. I am also blessed with many valuable
opportunities to serve humanity in some little way. Along the way, I get to appreciate our world
better and enjoy a good life, that ever keeps me in touch with our shared
brokenness.
Notre Dame was one unique opportunity, among many possibles,
during a 17-day journey to Norway and Paris.
The former was savoring God’s creation, while the latter was taking in
the richness of faith, life and history.
The two are definitely not
mutually exclusive. Looking back, this
journey was a rich pilgrimage, providing a full vista of the wonders of life.
I spent an unforgettable time in Notre Dame in prayer,
reflection and worship, just soaking in its warmth and ambience. It is a grand cathedral, but so simple inside,
offering a space to sit and experience the sacred in the midst of a busy
world. It was full of tourists but, for
me, it remained a silent and prayerful space.
That cross in the above picture is a symbol of the miracle that is Notre
Dame today, for it survived the 2019 fire. Notre Dame itself stands as a symbol to what
humanity can do in facing a challenge, for Macron said he would rebuild the
cathedral in five years, and he did, bequeathing the world a revived cathedral
in all its splendor and majesty. This grand lady among churches of the world
stands as a miracle, a sign of God’s presence and love. Arising from its ashes, it also stands as a testament
to the greatness of humanity.
Likewise, the world is truly a miracle, a work of
God’s hands. I saw that so poignantly in
Norway, where I was doubly blessed in sharing the journey with such good
friends. The journey took us by boat and
train, through such beautiful scenery and countryside. It was an experience of the beauty and
grandeur of creation. Like Notre Dame, creation
in Norway offered a grand cathedral within which to ponder life and marvel at
its wonders.
On the way, we met Bishop Varden of Trondheim, a
spiritual leader and man of wisdom. He
shared his vision arising from meeting so many people in our world who are searching
for something deeper in life, than what they see on offer in our world. I
experience the same phenomenon in My Bangkok, which is about much more than
shopping and massage.
Our world is not just a crazy placed. It is not defined by the pursuits and
concerns of the powerful few, nor by the suffering and tragedy faced by the
many. It is ever God’s world, within
which a searching humanity keeps wandering.
People are searching for substance to life in a world that can be so
shallow, for meaning in a world that is losing its sense of shared purpose, for
a sense of security in a world that is caught up in too much conflict and
violence.
Whatever our world and our times may bring, Christmas
comes, and Christmas matters. I was
brought up on Christmas. Yes, it is
about the color, the songs, the trees, but it is about much more. It is about people being kind and so I wish it
could be Christmas every day, but that is not reality. Happily, for now, I confidently share my “Ho!
Ho! Ho!”, wishing you a holy Christmas, a time knowing and sharing much
kindness, full of the joy that comes with the knowledge that the humble God is
ever with us on our way.
Christmas Greetings one and all! May this time of celebration of humanity bring us joy
and give us a lasting taste of peace and love in our world!
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