Santo Domingo. — With a call to overcome spiritual indifference and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas, the coadjutor archbishop of Santo Domingo, Monsignor Carlos Tomás Morel Diplánpresided over the Mass of the Nativity of the Lord from the Primate Cathedral of America.
During the celebration, Monsignor Morel Diplán led a reflective sermon in which he recalled that the Christmas is not limited to a date or superficial celebrationsbut rather represents a prolonged liturgical time that invites conversion, witness and authentic living of the Christian faith.
“Maybe many people know that it is Christmas, that they had dinner last night, that they celebrated, but they don’t know why they celebrate. And the fundamental reason for everything is Jesus Christ. Without Christ, none of it makes sense.”said the prelate.
Christmas goes beyond a single day
In the mass, which is one of the most important solemnities of the Christian liturgical calendar, the coadjutor archbishop highlighted that the Church does not celebrate Christmas as an isolated event, but as a liturgical time that extends until the feast of the Baptism of the Lordinviting the faithful to delve deeper into the mystery of the incarnation.
“One day is not enough, two days are not enough enough to celebrate the birth of the Lord. That’s why we started a time, Christmas time, that helps us understand what it means that Christ is born among us and in our hearts,” he stated.
He insisted on the importance of going to the word of god as a means to understand the central event of Christianity: God made man.
The promise of the Messiah and the good news announced
As you reflect on the day’s Bible readings, Mgr Morel Diplan He highlighted how the history of salvation announced in the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus.
He cited the Letter to the Hebrews to explain that “God spoke in many ways throughout history until he finally spoke through his Son.”, pointing out that Christ is not just another messengerbut the Son begotten for the salvation of humanity.
Likewise, he evoked the prophet Isaiah to describe the beauty of the announcement of salvation.
“How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace and brings good news“, he recalled, comparing that ancient announcement with the message that the Church proclaims today, Christ is born.
Read also: “We are losing the essentials of Christmas,” warns Monsignor Morel Diplán
The light that came into the world and was rejected
One of the central axes of the sermon was the reflection on the prologue of the Gospel of Saint John, where Christ is presented as the true light who came into the world, but was not welcomed by everyone.
“The light came into the world, but the darkness did not receive it.”, recalled the archbishop, warning that this reality does not only belong to the past, but is still present in today’s society.
He identified the indifference as one of the main darknesses that overshadow the meaning of Christmas.
“Indifference is darkness. Going through the church as if it were any place, blaspheming against God, not being interested in what is sacred… all that is darkness”, he stated.
He also pointed out that sin, corruption, Lies and human self-sufficiency are ways of rejecting the light of Christ, even knowing that they lead to suffering.
“He came to his own and his own did not receive him.”
Monsignor Morel Diplan He reflected on one of the most forceful phrases of the Gospel, “he came to his own and his own did not receive him,” comparing it to the human experience of not being welcomed into one’s own home.
“God is the creator and owner of everything, but he arrives home and is not welcomed. Many live as if God did not exist, locked in their selfishness and self-sufficiency.”, he reflected.
According to the prelate, this attitude explains many of the current crises in the world, marked by wars, divisions, violence and confrontations.
“The world is in crisis because man has wanted to take over everything and forget about God”, he warned.
The urgency of Christian testimony that is real
Faced with this reality, the coadjutor archbishop pointed out the “urgent” need to authentic witnessesmen and women who, with their lives, reflect the light of Christ.
“It’s not enough to say ‘Merry Christmas’ with a smile today, if tomorrow we return to enmity, division or rejection of the other,” he expressed.
He remembered that John the Baptist was not the light, but he was a witness to it, and urged Christians to assume that same role in today’s society.
“Our good testimony helps others discover Christ. May they see peace, harmony, love and brotherhood in our lives, because it is Christ who was born in us,” he said.
A message of hope and commitment
At the mass, Monsignor Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán invited people to open their hearts to the presence of Christ and to become instruments of reconciliation and peace.
“May we be visible and attractive witnesses so that others can know Christ and draw closer to Him.“exhorted the prelate, while sending a fraternal greeting to the faithful who followed the celebration from their homes through the different media.
The celebration marked a significant moment for the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, as Monsignor Morel Diplán presided as coadjutor archbishop.
Blessing for marriages
At the end of the mass, the religious took a moment to pray for some couples who celebrated their wedding anniversary, some with up to 59 years of union, and asked the new generations to be their example.
The priest recalled that the Christmas takes on full meaning only when Christ is welcomed as a light that transforms life and society..
