Jesus Christ is Lord
The birth of Jesus, Savior of the world, is the Good News of great joy for all people. Let us receive Jesus who was born to save mankind from sins. In order to save us the Lord Jesus Christ was born into our world. By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of a virgin, Mary. God became a human being so that he could reveal and share his love for us.
The Lord Jesus became an ideal human being. Meditating on this truth will help change imperfect persons into perfect persons. That is why Jesus said, "I am the Son of man." Jesus who took birth in a manger should be our ideal and we should follow him, only then will our lives have meaning. When we have the perfection of Jesus' example why should we conform and follow imperfect human ways? "They cried out in a loud voice saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the lamb" (Rev. 7:10).
When our parishes, priest, religious, prayer groups and other religious institutions work together then all the people will come to know that Jesus is the only Savior. Sinners should repent and return; this will be a great joy to our Lord. For the repentance of sinners we should proclaim the Good news, lead a holy life and be witnesses to Jesus Christ. Whatever we have, we should share it with those brothers and sisters who are under the poverty line, "Then you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (Lk. 14:14). Those who believe in Jesus Christ irrespective of religion, caste or creed may not perish, but may have eternal life (Jn. 3:16).
God gave a sign to the wise men that came from the east. God reminds people who adjust their lives according to the signs of sun, moon and stars to turn to Jesus and save their lives. Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the Light of life" (Jn. 8:12). "The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven" (9Mt. 24:29-30). These scriptures remind us that Jesus is the only Savior.
As far as the Jews were concerned, Jesus was merely a human being. This led them into serious mistakes. The Jews accused Him and killed Him. Jesus wanted to save the Jews from this situation. Jesus told them, "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mt. 12:8). At the time that Jesus said these words, he was both human being and Divine.
There are times when his disciples thought Jesus was a ghost. They all saw him and were terrified. He spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid." Then He got into the boat with them and the wind ceased" (Mk. 6:51).
In the Gospel of John it says, "The disciples of Jesus got into a boat and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was dark now and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing" (Jn. 6:17-18). The Gospel of Mathew says, "But by this time the boat, battered by the waves was far from the land, for the wind was against them" (Mt. 14:24). In our families, in our work places and in our surroundings there are times when we are terrified, the ghost comes and adversities occur. We seem to be getting drowned in the sea of trials and tribulations.
Do not be afraid; receive Jesus! Immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid" (Mt. 14:27). But we don't have the courage to receive Jesus as our Lord. We are afraid that our own people will forsake us. But Jesus reminds us, "Do not be afraid." When we are facing adversities or our sky is darkened, and we feel we are going to be drowned, that is the time Jesus will lift us up and fill us with his peace and bless us. As we see in the Old Testament, if we worship the Lord we will get blessings according to his Promises. For this purpose God the Father gave us His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord. "You shall worship the Lord your God, and I will bless your bread and your water and I will take sickness away from among you. No one shall miscarry or be barren in your land. I will fulfill the number of your days" (Ex. 23:25-26).
The disciple, Peter, cried out "Teacher we are perishing!" When we are going to be drowned, we should call upon the Lord's name and ask Jesus to save us. He will give us His grace to put away our old self and our former way of life and be renewed in the Holy Spirit. Amen!
-FR. MARTIN KALAMPARAMBIL