Page 4 - Inter Nos 2021-12

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I. Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for the Month

Intention for Evangelization: Catechists
Let us pray for the Catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be Its witnesses,
with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

II. OUR BISHOP SPEAKS:

The Birth of Jesus

Dear Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and my dear people,

Warm wishes to all of you.

Myriad interpretations and significances are given to Jesus’ birth. I would
like to point out two major problems we face in our country for which
God’s nativity has significance. The birth of Jesus symbolizes liberation,
restoration, joy and peace for the suffering humanity. Every birth of a child
manifests God’s involvement in the life and struggle of the people. The
birth of Jesus brings hope to all who have been blissfully cheated, cruelly treated and shamefully
tormented. Years of darkness, bitterness and failure wrapped them and drove them to despair and to
the edge of their patience, yet they have persevered not given up. A just and continued fight surely
brought them a bright settlement.

We know the farmers of our country unitedly put up a sustained fight to change the stiffness of the
government. Farmers are those who produce food grains for us but they are subjected to the untold
suffering. It is said more than 700 died during their agitation demanding their rights. These are the
signs of God’s presence to fight against injustice and inhuman treatment. Jesus’ birth should be
celebrated taking into account of all who fought for their rights. These events tell that God is on the
side of the poor and the people who suffer. Is not God a valiant warrior who fights for us?

The present situation of the government coming forward to repeal the three farm laws seems to give a
ray of hope for everyone who fights for justice and peace and harmony. This again shows that God is
on the side of the oppressed and certainly not on the side of the oppressors. Jesus’ birth is a strong
support for one who seeks justice and truth, and a warning to the oppressors and the heartless people.

Another significance we can talk of during the birth of Jesus is the rights of women. India has a
distinction of worshipping women as Goddesses and at the same time they are treated as objects of
pleasure. The female children too are not spared in this regard. Our country seems to be a land of
contradictions. Our sisters are raped, blackmailed and misused. This happens everywhere. It is said,