Christmas cures the “suffering” of the world, both in Iraq and Ukraine

In his midnight mass homily, the Chaldean patriarch recalls the “increasingly serious” crises afflicting the world: divisions, conflicts and injustices. The issue of “minorities” who are “increasingly oppressed” along with those “displaced” because of the war. The reconstruction of Iraq starting from its origins and values, to recover confidence in the “social fabric”.

Baghdad () – Christmas comes “at a time when the world is suffering” from “increasingly serious” crises such as the “deadly war” between Ukraine and Russia, and also from “divisions, conflicts and injustices” in many parts of the world, such as Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen. This is the starting point of the homily for the midnight mass of the Chaldean primate, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, to the priests and faithful of the Arab country and the world’s diaspora, which was sent in advance to . The cardinal remembers “especially minorities” increasingly oppressed, subjected to violence and dispossession, as well as those “displaced” by conflicts fueled by “opposing positions and interests.” However, the birth of Christ “teaches faith” thanks to the “continuing presence of God in our midst,” a presence that is “eternal” in love and mercy.

The midnight mass, anticipated patriarchal sources, will be attended by the President of the Republic Abdul Latif Rashid, the Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al Sudani and Christian and Muslim institutional and religious personalities. It will be a moment of recollection and unity in the face of the risk of a new extremist drift, as demonstrated by the attacks in recent days. “Iraq – observes the Chaldean primate – is a country of civilization, culture and glory, with great personalities of all religions. It is time to return to our origins and our values, to build trust in the social fabric and to educate ourselves to accept diversity”. Below we offer the full message of Cardinal Sako:

Christmas is a theological project on the plane of faith, of the human being and of life, which helps the person to recover the spiritual and moral values ​​to live in love and peace with others.

Christmas is not just the celebration of the anniversary of something that happened two thousand years ago or a folkloric event with some superficial appeal, such as decorations, gifts and visitors. Christmas teaches us – through reason and faith – the continuous presence of God among us, an eternal presence with his love and mercy. A Christmas hymn says, “When my soul dissolves into the being of God, I am at Christmas.” Christ came to unite us and bring us closer, to build our relationships in a spirit of fraternity and tranquility. Let us then welcome him with a new spirit to reach the fullness of the human and spiritual values ​​that he taught us. Let’s not let the party pass like another day on the calendar, as Pope Francis said three weeks ago at the Angelus.

Christmas will not end and the hope in a new humanity capable of living in peace, love and forgiveness continues to be a living desire in the heart of every human being: “On Christmas night hatred disappears, the earth flourishes, the war, love germinates”. This hope must continue. It is sad that this Christmas comes at a time when the world is suffering from increasingly serious crises such as the bloody war between Ukraine and Russia, with divisions, conflicts and injustices in Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, where citizens, and especially minorities, are oppressed, are subject to violence and dispossession, poor and displaced, due to conflicts and conflicting positions and interests.

The whole world must realize that wars are failures and conflicts only produce losses; This way of doing things must end and we must seek dialogue through diplomacy to solve problems. Furthermore, wicked people must realize that the evil will not last and that God will hold them accountable. Only the good remains and, even if it is small, it is always a blessing.

Jesus lived the same as we are living today: Jewish religious personalities like Annas and Caiaphas attacked him; Politicians like King Herod and the Roman Governor Pilate feared him and took steps to remove and crucify him. However, God raised him from the dead, which is why our Muslim brothers call him “Jesus the Living”.

Our fears and our desires find hope in a happy ending in the birth and resurrection of Christ: “When we fill our hearts with hope, we are at Christmas.” This hope should give strength to the hearts of the good and unite their efforts to end people’s suffering by building a better world, where all citizens, regardless of color, sex or religion, live with dignity, freedom and pride.

Christmas teaches us to be operators of peace, charity, defense of the oppressed, help to orphans, widows and the poor, and we cannot grow and develop without a spiritual life, moral values ​​and cooperation to re-establish harmony in this world created by God, which He gave us to organize, preserve and make it prosper.

Iraq is a country of civilization, culture and glory, with great personalities of all religions. It is time to return to our origins and our values, to build trust in the social fabric and educate ourselves to accept diversity and consolidate coexistence and loyalty to the country that embraces everyone under the rule that all citizens are equal. This project is not just the prime minister’s job; citizens have a great responsibility with their support, cooperation and diligence to protect the unity and sovereignty of the nation and its progress, so that everyone can live in peace and happiness. In all honesty, there is no other way. Let us pray and say: O Lord of peace, grant peace and stability to our country and to the whole world.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Long live Iraq!

* Cardinal, Patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans