Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Dec 20: The Udupi diocese organized ‘Christmas Snehakoota’, a get-together with media persons at Mother of Sorrows Church hall, here on Wednesday, December 20.
Speaking on the occasion, Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo advised Christian families to celebrate the Christmas festival with the poor, without any discrimination such as caste, creed and religion. “Let us share what God has given, it will double our happiness,” he said.
He also spoke on the meaning of Christmas. "Lord Jesus lived with us like a common man. He spread the message of peace of love. However, people are distancing themselves from God. If we live by the principles Jesus preached, we can re-connect with God," he said.
“We are always obeying with ‘Lectio divina’. Let us mediate, pray and read scriptures. It will inspire others. Let us live together like a family,” said Dr Gerald in his address.
"Christmas heralds the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His magnetic personality was both human and divine. His life was an open book which revealed the infinite love and compassion of God towards man. Christmas cribs, Christmas cards, Christmas carols, Christmas star, Christmas sweets along with the Santa Claus evoke in us feelings of Joy and Excitement on the birth of the Divine Babe of Bethlehem.
"'Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man', said Rabindranath Tagore. Jesus, the divine child, who was born as the 'Emmanuel' has truly become 'God-with-us'. He is the visible face of the invisible God. He summarized all the laws and prophetic instructions into the love of God and love of neighbor. He preached and practiced forgiveness. He presented love as the panacea for all the ills of mankind. “Peace to men of good will,” sang the angels at his birth. Indeed, as Mahatma Gandhi felt, he is our peace."
"Doubtless, he is irresistibly the centre of the world. Indeed, all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned have not affected the life of human beings upon this earth as much as that one solitary life, that of Jesus of Nazareth. May he grant us His divine peace and unite all of us into one family. May His Peace be with you at Christmas and throughout the New Year 2018," the bishop wished.
"The chief guest Delia Dias, General Manager of Corporation bank said, “Jesus words relives us from our pain. He taught us humanity. We are all children of God. If we treat others like our brothers and sisters, the world will be happier and more peaceful,” she said.
"Sharing food and happiness, enlivens the Christmas spirit," she added.
Udupi district information officer Rohini K, president of Udupi district Working Journalists' Association Ganesh Prasad Pandelu spoke on the occasion.
The new office bearers of Udupi district Working Journalist Association were felicitated on the occasion.
Fr Denis D’sa, PRO of Udupi diocese, Prashanth Jathanna from Christian Development Corporation, Editor of weekly magazine Ujvad Fr Chetan Lobo, Michael Rodrigues, Fr Royson among others were present.