The theme for the 4th Sunday of Advent is the love that God has for mankind to become man and to save us from death and sin. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph #1766 it says “Love is to will the good of the other”. Love is the most important value of the Christian life. Love today is often confused with tolerance and inclusion. But real love does not tolerate everything. Real love also does not include some things like self-indulgence.
The tax collector, who went to pray in the temple, did not have any regard for himself, yet God broke into his self-disregard to bring him to a higher life. But, the Pharisee was complacent about himself and his moral performance.
Christmas is about God loving us, and we should also love what Jesus loved in us, that we should be saved. Christmas impels us to come out of our self-regard and to also will the good of our brothers and sisters.
Let us celebrate Christmas not just by decorating our homes, but to let the love of God be the highest value of our life. God’s laws equal love, because God is love.
Fr. Gaberiele Dulunaqio, MSC