Péter Erdő: the joy of Christmas brings comfort and security

The joy of Christmas, God's love for humanity, brings comfort to the bereaved and security to those who live in fear of sickness and trouble. Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, spoke about this on Christmas Eve in Budapest.

In the packed St. Stephen's Basilica, the cardinal said: Christmas

"it makes us realize what is really important in our lives, it opens our hearts to each other, enables us to truly repent and shows God's forgiving mercy".

Péter Erdő highlighted: the basic need and desire of a person to be loved and to be able to love. And God showed that he wanted this characteristic of man and he also assumes it. God "wants to give love and wants us to love him," he said.

The chief pastor also touched on the fact that throughout history, love has often been contrasted with law or justice. However, law in the Bible is a decision that is made by some authority and ultimately originates from God. What is truly right corresponds to God's will and the order of the world. Therefore, the observance of true law permeates human life, creates harmony in society, between man and the world, and between man and his environment.

He noted: of course, this is not the law that some human power invents at its whim, but the one that "carefully and humbly adapts to the order of reality", to the plan of the creator God. The Bible often emphasizes that man must make his decisions according to God's guidance. And this guidance "comes to its final riches in Jesus." He is the one who establishes right and true justice forever, who brings peace between God, man and the world.

Even if his earthly life ends with a cross and resurrection, "he calls us his brothers and calls us to eternal happiness", where love and law coincide, justice and peace meet, Péter Erdő emphasized. The cardinal urged: this Christmas

"let's decide to seek God's justice and peace, to be Jesus' companion even now, in our earthly life, to stay with him forever".

At the end of the Mass, the head pastor expressed his joy that they could celebrate together again, with the same reverence, love and hope as at the International Eucharistic Congress in September. He also said: every child, every new life carries hope, and Jesus Christ gives strength, security and love in addition to hope. "Let's experience this in our homes and pass it on to the whole world!" asked Péter Erdő.

MTI