In this Advent season, it’s important to clarify our faith. You might ask why? We’ll answer as clearly as possible.
Since this season prepares us for Christmas, for the birth of the Messiah, we enter a friendly atmosphere of joy and brotherhood, where everyone accepts and tolerates each other, falling into a kind of naiveté that isn’t healthy. We accept any creed, regardless of its truth, with the excuse that peace is what matters and avoiding conflict. People who think this way haven’t understood who God is and the significance of Jesus Christ among us, and obviously, they haven’t understood what Christmas is. Let’s turn to the Bible and see what Jesus teaches us. The Gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 1-6, gives us a clear warning and teaching: Thomas asks Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answers, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” What does this mean? That Jesus alone is the way, there is no other, that not all religions lead us to God. That no matter how much friendship and closeness we have with other faiths, those faiths are false. They may call us unfriendly, intolerant, arrogant; it doesn’t matter, don’t be intimidated. Jesus is the only way that leads us to God. That is why Advent is important, preparing us for the encounter with the Lord. There is no other way. Not Buddhism, not Islam, not Hinduism. None of those; we respect them, we pray for them; but at Christmas we joyfully celebrate the birth of the Son of God, who leads us to be with Jesus if we follow his commandments.
Have a happy Sunday.