JANUARY 1, 2013
His Grace Archbishop Petar Rajič's
Message to the Faithful for the New Year
"FAITH GIVES MEANING TO LIFE AND
LEADS TO LASTING PEACE"
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The New Year begins during the Christmas liturgical cycle and our thoughts and prayers are still focused on the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This joyful mystery, made possible through the divine action of the Holy Spirit and the humble obedient faith of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the basic truths of our Catholic creed. The eternal Word of God became flesh so that thus we might know God's love: "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (1 Jn 4:9) (CCC 458). The joy all Christians live by is found in this fact: God loves us, he is in our midst and comes to us in his Son Jesus, who remains forever our Emmanuel, meaning "God-with-us".
Having commenced the Year of Faith last October, we recall that all the faithful have been invited by the Holy Father to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord during this holy year. Only through believing does faith grow, giving life true meaning, which leads to lasting peace. The Pope's Message for the World Day of Peace 2013, is titled Blessed are the Peacemakers. The Holy Father states that "Peace is an order enlivened and integrated by love, in such a way that we feel the needs of others as our own, share our goods with others and work throughout the world for greater communion in spiritual values" (Message, N.3). During these turbulent and uncertain times, the duty is upon us as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, to be living examples of God's peace which "implies activity, compassion, solidarity, courage and perseverance" (Message, N.7).
While thanking the Lord for the graces received during the past year, we now look ahead to the New Year with hope. We seek God's blessings not only for our local Church here in the Arabian Peninsula but also for the entire world, so that faith may flourish and disbelief decrease, peace prevail and discord diminish, goodwill grow and enmity end.
May Mary, the Mother of God, who we venerate as Our Lady of Arabia, intercede for us and all the needs of the Church in the Gulf, and lead us to her Son Jesus, who remains forever our Lord and God.
While joyfully imparting my apostolic blessing to you all, I pray that you may bring the Lord's blessings to all the people you encounter throughout the year!
Titular Archbishop of Sarsenterum
Apostolic Nuncio to the Arabian Peninsula
See Also:
His Grace Archbishop Petar Rajič's Biography and
Pastoral Messages/Homilies to the Faithful
|
