Editorial

By Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

The news that Archbishop Raymond Roussin has retired and Archbishop Michael Miller is the new archbishop of Vancouver comes at an emotional and significant time: the start of a new calendar year, a new Church year, and during a season that focuses on birth and salvation.

If the role of a bishop is about anything, it is about spreading the Good News of salvation - something Archbishop Roussin has struggled powerfully to do during his time here. There will be time to offer further observations in the coming weeks and months, but suffice it to say that our sadness in losing him is offset by the knowledge that our new shepherd brings an abundance of gifts of his own. More on that in coming weeks as well.

The last time I saw the two archbishops together was at the Handel's Messiah concert before Christmas, an event that successfully and movingly concluded our centennial year. It seems fitting to pass along the following observations from Father Thomas Rosica, who reflects on the Messiah, on this Christmas season, on the Church, and about the Good News.

- Paul Schratz

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The choral section from the Nativity cycle of Handel's work never ceases to move me each time I listen to Isaiah's prophecy set to glorious music: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

Immediately before those marvellous words in the Bible, Isaiah has built up a frightening picture of the darkness and distress about to descend upon both Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel.

The great light that comes decisively into this profound darkness tears people away from their confusion and emptiness, from the violence and tyranny of the oppressor. On the inhabitants of a country in the shadow dark as death, light has blazed forth!

The new king, the "Wonderful Counsellor," will have no need for advisers such as those who led King Ahaz astray. "Everlasting Father" describes the quality of his rule. The virtues of judgement, justice, and righteousness that sustain the Davidic throne are summed up in the word "Shalom," the Hebrew root of which means wholeness, harmony, fulfilment, and completion.

As a result of this new king's reign, people will live in harmony with God, each other, and nature. It is no wonder, then, that the Church has appropriated Isaiah's exultation of this brilliant light and royal birth for our celebration of the birth of Jesus.

During the past months, who has not felt deeply the world's darkness and gloom? Consider the tragic and violent situations of the lands we call "holy." Lands once touched by God, the patriarchs and prophets, and the Messiah Himself are killing fields.

Think of the uncertainty and despair that has set in because of the collapse of economic structures. During this festival season, Jews continue to long for the Messiah's coming, and Christians celebrate His birth in human history. Jews and Christians must ask how we continue to long for and actualize the salvation that the Messiah will bring.

The prophetic texts read during the Hanukkah, Advent, and Christmas feasts are a new summons to the synagogue and to the Church to reach out to one another, to recommit ourselves to bearing God's light to the nations, and to recognize each other as partners in building up the kingdom of God.

Both Christianity and Judaism seal their worship with a common hope: "Thy kingdom come!" We must utter this prayer more loudly and clearly in these days of shadows and darkness for so many in the world, especially for the people of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Holy Land that is torn apart by warfare, hatred, oppression and sadness, as well as for those living in other regions suffering through war, poverty, injustice.

Our common longing for the fruits of the messianic kingdom invites us, Christians and Jews, into a knowledge of our communion with one another, and a recognition of the terrible brokenness of the world. As Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI have taught us through word, gesture and deed, nothing and no one can ever wrench us away any longer from that deep communion that unites us together.
The tikkun ha'olam, the healing of the world, its repair, restoration, and redemption, including the redemption of Israel, incarnate in the person of Jesus, now depends upon us.