MUSTARD SEED (SINNOPSKORNIÐ) - Christmas 2011

Pope Benedict XVI in his advent message of November 27 reminded his audience of the fundamental truth that ”the real master of the world is not man but Gud.” Advent is time to restore eternal perspective in the consciousness of man.

We will soon be celebrating again the birth of Jesus Christ. Against the background of our time's aggressive secularism, where genuine human values are rejected, this feast takes on a greater meaning and urgency. For, fundamentally, the birth of Jesus Christ is the reality that God himself became a human being just like you and I. God saves mankind not by a miracle but by stepping into our history as a real and genuine human being. This truth speaks volumes to us about each single human being's inviolable and absolute dignity. In our westerm part of the world that is marked by the acceptance of premarital sex, artificial birth control, artificial conception (IVF), abortion, euthanasia (mercy killing), homosexual life style, redefinition of marriage, adoption by homosexual couple and other serious offenses against the true dignity of the human being, the message of the feast of Christmas shines more than ever as a clear light of hope and love. We who are God's chosen, beloved and holy people (Col.3,12) can only celebrate Christmas in one way and that is by living the message of Christmas in our daily lives 365 days a year. It is especially our attitude to the people on the periphery of society, the outcasts, which reflects whether or not we truly believe that God has really become a true and geninue human being in Jesus Christ. God hears the cry of the poor

(ps.145 and 146).

With this little exhoration I wish for all of you that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be always with you.

Paul Marx, omi

World Peace Day, 1^st of January

From Catholic News Service

Pope's 2012 World Peace Day theme focuses on young people

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In building a world of peace and justice, the Catholic Church must listen to the ideas and hopes of young people and offer them educational opportunities that will strengthen their ability to work for the common good, the Vatican said.

As part of the church's efforts, Pope Benedict XVI has chosen "Educating young people in justice and peace" to be the theme for the church's 2012 celebration of World Peace Day.

World Peace Day is Jan. 1 each year. A papal message on the theme is sent in December to heads of state around the world.

Announcing the theme May 19, the Vatican said the pope wanted to highlight "an urgent need in the world today: to listen to and enhance the important role of new generations in the realization of the common good, and in the affirmation of a just and peaceful social order where fundamental human rights can be fully expressed and realized."

The duty to prepare future generations also includes a government obligation to ensure that young people have appropriate opportunities for personal growth, particularly through education and employment, the Vatican statement said.

"Young persons must labor for justice and peace in a complex and globalized world," so preparing them for the future will require a real alliance among all those responsible for educating and forming the world's future leaders, it said.