By Matters India Reporter
Sankt Ottilien, December 17, 2018: World is facing newer conflict today more than ever, says Catholic Biblical Federation (CBF).
“We have grown accustomed to “never ending” wars – in Africa, in the Mideast, the East, and distant countries whose names we have already forgotten…. Yet new conflicts continue to arise – political conflicts, racial conflicts, social tensions, trade wars…. Our daily life is ever fuller of a violence which is taking over our reality or pouring forth from the news screens: “Violence upon violence! Deceit upon deceit! (Jer. 9:5)” Father Jan J. Stefanów, SVD, CBF General Secretary, said in a Christmas message.
Founded in 1968, the CBF is a worldwide “fellowship” of administratively independent Catholic Bible associations and other organizations committed to biblical-pastoral ministries in 126 countries.
“Day after day the number of videos, photos and Christmas messages full of sweetness, moving stories, campaigns of solidarity which we receive through social media is growing. Isn’t it possible that this large number of messages of peace and solidarity reflect the enormous hunger for peace and solidarity that we experience in our time?” he questioned.
“A child is born to us…Prince of peace”… If during these days we truly celebrate the birth of the Son of God and not simply a “Holiday Season” or one more “New Year”, the message of peace will enter our hearts and fill us with strength and hope – our God is a “God-Hero, Father-Forever” and is among us: Emmanuel,” he said.
May the Son of God, the Word made flesh, who pitched his tent among us fill us with joy, with strength and with hope and make us messengers of Peace, bearers of his Word. Together with Mary, Mother of the Word, let us become listeners of the Word and take that Word to the entire world,” the Divine Word priest said.