By Manoj K. Rathinam, CSC –
Readings: Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24
We will celebrate in a few days the birth of Christ. We hear both in first and Gospel reading Jesus as ‘Emmanuel’. This word touched me: what does this mean to me in today’s context?
Every year we celebrate Christmas and we hear this word often, but when looking at today’s world context, I question myself, ‘is God with us today?’ We come across people who suffer in their lives, who think that there is no one to care for them, and I question myself, ‘is God with us today?’ I get no answer from people, but God himself teaches me that each one of us represents God in our lives when we live in this world.
When I can reach out to the people who are in need, I convey to them that there is God who is always with them, who cares for them, and supports them when they need him. If I do these things, then I find meaning in the word ‘Emmanuel’ which means ‘God with us’. But I don’t do this often because I care only for my family and friends, I don’t even bother about a person who suffers in front of me but instead, I take a picture of him to post online and wait for likes and comments which makes me happy. It is time for us to change and prove that God is with every human being, whether they are happy or sad.
As we are in the fourth Sunday of the advent and preparing for Christ’s birth, let us challenge ourselves to change and be with people of every sort who need us. Let us also be “Emmanuel.”
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