Year 2023 alerted by realities human-political-social and religious what can destabilize the peace of bethlehem but armored by the words of God: Isaiah 41:10-20…Do not be afraid, that I am with you; don't be discouraged, that I am your God. I am the one who gives you strength, and i will always help you; I will always hold you with my vigilante right hand. All those who are angry with you will be ashamed and confused.; those who contend with you will perish, and they will be like nothing. When you seek those who contend with you, you will not find them; those who make war on you will be like nothing, non-existent! I am the Lord, your God, who holds you by the right hand and tells you: "Do not be afraid, that I help you. And you, Jacob, you are like a worm. But don't be afraid. you israelites, they're very few; but I am your help.» -Lord's word, the Holy of Israel, your redeemer. I have put you like a trillo, a new threshing floor full of teeth; and you will thresh mountains and hills, and you will grind them until they are reduced to chaff. You will throw them to the wind, and the wind will take them; the whirlwind will scatter them, but you will rejoice in the Lord, and your pride will be the Holy of Israel. The afflicted and needy seek water, and they can't find it; thirst dries up their tongues. But I, Mr, I have heard them; yo, the God of Israel, I will not forsake them. I will open rivers in the mountains, and springs in the middle of the valleys; I will open pools of water in the desert, and springs in the dry land. In the desert I will make cedars grow, acacias, myrtle and olive trees; in the wasteland I will put together cypresses, pines and boxwoods; and that, for all to see and know, and realize and understand, that this has been done by the hand of the Lord; that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
dear faithful: For when you get these letters-congratulations to your hands, We have already approached, again and a year, to Bethlehem and discover that Bethlehem is a joyous revelation of Merciful Love that descends and unites its fate with ours, is a revelation of hope, human adventure full of hope (2Color 8,9), and is merciful revelation of salvation from a cave and in a manger. Today, as does 2023 years or more, The Gospel text of Luke is currently (2,8-20), whose words express the full force Christmas. The presence of the "Emmanuel", (God with us) breaks all the fears of our way because we are not alone, softens the cold of this history and strengthens the hopeful perseverance to follow the star of the meeting (Mt 2, 1-12). The joy of the world and our life is in the birth of the Savior who is Christ the Lord. Urges the rush to find the Born as happened to the shepherds and the Magi (Lc 2, 3-20). On the back of Bethlehem, another year, It involves praise and witness to what we have seen and heard (Lc 2,20).
May God be incarnated in each one of us by finding in our hearts the openness to the Holy Spirit and the availability that he found in Mary. We can make our exhortation of origins: What are you serving Christ was born once in the flesh, if there is also your heart today?. Let us pray that happen this coming every day so that we can say as Saint Paul: "I live, but not me, it is Christ who lives in me " (Ga 2-20).
The premiere year 2023 it is a challenge to make our daily novelty of enthusiasm, call to hope to work with freedom and responsibility to deepen our commitment to Jesus Christ, unique and peaceful project of our being, call to the joy of his Gospel as the only rule of life and look to the Church as a space to be priests, prophets and kings.
I urge you and myself to have as a theme of reference to start the year and in this special place of Garabandal the words of the first letter of San Juan 3,7-10, whose phrases should express all our conduct throughout the year and always.
May Mary accompany us to live our baptism in prayer, brotherhood and shared mission of mercy.
warm and christian year 2023 for you and yours. With my affection and blessing.
Father Rolando