During our philosophy studies we learn to question and understand the reality. Reality is multifaceted. It is like standing on one side of the mountain and trying to understand the entire mountain. One side of the mountain might be forest filled with trees, another side could be rocky, one side might be filled with shrubs and thorny bushes, yet another side might have beautiful waterfalls etc. Our understanding of the mountain might be partial. Similarly, our understanding of reality is also partial and personal, depending on our perception. Reality is a spectrum of probabilities. Our understanding depends on our vantage point, our reflection, and our understanding.
If we look at Christmas, we could see a chain of events taking place. It is recognition, relationship building, and response. Two groups, representing both the extremes of the society, namely the simple and poor shepherds and the clever and influential wise men, recognize both a human and a divine in an insignificant baby. And they find their relationships with the baby: The shepherd find the connecting link in poverty and simplicity of the baby their own status in the society. In contrast, the wise men, who are experts in astronomy, find their relationship with the baby by expressing, through their meaningful gifts, the divinity, the kingship, and the humanness of the baby. The outcome of recognition, which matures into relationship, is the response in life. The response is to give the needy what we could.
There is a legend about the three wise men from the East: Actually there were supposed to be four wise men who initially started when the star appeared. On the way, there was an appeal for humanitarian help. While the three wise men felt that their primary purpose is to follow the star, the fourth one was moved with pity and compassion for the needy. He went to help those who needed his help. The story goes that all along his way, he has been helping people, especially the neglected, the marginalized, and the suppressed and all the same trying to continue his search to find Jesus. And he found him, after about 30 years, in Jerusalem as Jesus was carrying His cross. According to this legend, it is the kind hearted person who helped Jesus carry his cross. Christmas brings home the point that we recognize God in others; we build meaningful relationship with them; and we respond to their needs. This, then, is the Christmas spirit to give the best to the least.
You, as the alumni, have been sensitive to the needs of the others. During the pandemic and later when the city was flooded in incessant rain, you came to help those in need. We are very thankful to your fine gesture to the affected. Let us continue with the spirit of Christmas, namely giving, for in giving we receive – We receive the blessings of God and of the people.
Wish you all a joyful Christmas and a happy and successful New Year 2022.
Francis P Xavier SJ
23Dec2021