Christmas God in human form is a turning point for humanity – said in a televised Christmas message the President of the Polish Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki. The prelate also stressed that in 2016 Poland await two important events: the anniversary of Polish Christianity and World Youth Day.
Here we present the full text of the message of Archbishop Gądecki:
In the holy night of Christmas we once again in our lives before the mystery of Bethlehem stable where Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
This event – in which the God of love for humanity to become one of us – it is the biggest event in the history of mankind. It is a mystery to such an extent difficult to understand that in the face of a man lost in amazement. In amazement that embraces not only our reason, but also our hearts and leads us to glorify God and to live with people in the room.
Christmas God in human form is a turning point for humanity. Up to this point because God has contacted a man by his word; to the time of Christ’s birth the whole history of salvation was one great act of verbal communication between God and man. In contrast, the birth of Christ began a new era of communication between God and man. God reached the conviction that his words are not understood by humans and do not bring the rebirth of man, he sent his Son, the Word, which was not only sound, but it was flesh. From this point on land it became a place of bodily presence of God. He spawned a new form of relationship between God and man.
Jubilee 1050 th anniversary of Polish Christianity
Together with the adoption of baptism by Mieszko I in this relationship with Christ we entered, we too , Polish people. And though Baptism is individual, however – due to its relationship with the Holy Trinity – it creates a close communion with other persons baptized. We can therefore speak of a “nation baptized” with a “baptism of the nation”, and therefore also of Baptism Polish. This year has already started in 1050 anniversary of this event, which is the foundation of Christian life.
To use the words of Cyprian Kamil Norwid, the Cross “has become our gateway” to a new, Christian civilization. Polana began to take the values previously unknown to or even rejected, and their own language, political ideas and religious material culture gained a higher dimension, rooting in cultures older and finer that have already received Christian face. Cyprian Kamil Norwid puts it in a brilliant summary:
The nation did not save me no ni created;
before age I remember eternity;
Key of David my mouth,
Rome called człekiem.
(My Homeland)
The main celebrations for the jubilee will begin in Gniezno, 14 April, the first part of the plenary meeting of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate. Then, an ecumenical service at Ostrow Lednicki, where in times of the first Piast was one of the main administrative centers of contemporary Polish. And then, during Mass at the Cathedral of Gniezno Bishops, together with the authorities will be thanked for baptism Polish.
For the next two days the celebration will move to Poznan. On Friday April 15 is scheduled National Assembly at the International Fair. In the same place you will be presented jubilee oratory. In the evening in Poznan Cathedral will be celebrated a solemn Mass. with the participation of Polish and Polish bishops of the Episcopal representatives from abroad.
The next day, April 16, will host the second part of the plenary meeting of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate. Then he is scheduled evangelistic event at the Stadium of Lech, along with Mass. and the renewal of baptismal promises. Finally anniversary concert. On this Saturday, we invite all interested compatriots of Polish and abroad.
Jubilee Charity
Together with the universal Church started this year the Jubilee Charity. It is obvious that today’s world needs mercy, compassion needs, that is, the suffering of another human being. The world must discover that God is Father, that there is a mercy that cruelty is not going anywhere.
The more the human conscience succumbs to secularization, loses its sense of very meaning of the word “mercy” the more – away from God – is moving away from the mystery of mercy, the more the Church has the right and duty to appeal to all the forces of the God of mercy.
O how I wish exclaims Father Holy – to the coming years were marked by charity, we went out to meet each person, carrying her kindness and tenderness of God. To all such believers as well as those who are far away, let them reach balm of mercy as a sign of the Kingdom of God, which is already present in our midst.
World Youth Day
In the coming 2016 years await us in Krakow World Youth Day. From 26 to 31 July will meet there young people from around the world to meditate on the words of Christ, blessed are the merciful.
The youth pilgrimage through the various continents under the guidance of the Successor of Saint Peter is really an initiative providential. How many precious fruits it brought in the lives of many young people in the world. How many has brought important discoveries; especially the discovery of Christ and the Church as great and hospitable family. How many decisions vocation. For us, and it is also a great opportunity to promote Polish.
May St. John Paul II – the author of this event – interceding for this pilgrimage of young people around the world to Krakow.
Going to Midnight Mass, gaze at shimmering lights the streets. Let us remember that these lights direct our thoughts to another – invisible to the eye, but perceptible for the heart – Light. At Christmas time, accept with gratitude, new Light, which is Christ, coming in the middle of the night of this world.
Let us pray in Bethlehem Night
Night Happy Solutions
key to everything we rozplatało
nodes, conflicts, complications.
(Fr. Jan Twardowski)
May the grace and blessing of Christmas is accompanied by all of you. Each of you personally, your families, across our country and the Poles wish happy and blessed Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment