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Brothers and sisters,
This year, I wish to convey my Christmas message to you from Mater Dei Hospital. I am doing so because in this place, where there are many people who are suffering, the Lord Jesus is very close to us. Jesus came to bring His joy during Christmas in a special way to people who are suffering. I am also here at Hospital because the painful experiences which some people endure serve as an inspiration for others to perform their work enthusiastically and with great generosity. Besides these, there are also others who offer their time in voluntary work to assist those who are afflicted.
For us Christians, this makes sense because Christmas is the time when we come to know exactly who God is, as revealed to us by Jesus Christ. ‘God is love’ and we must retain this image in our hearts. At Christmastime, the term ‘to love’ takes on a special flavour which may be translated as ‘to give’. Christmas is the moment when we reflect upon ‘loving’ as ‘giving’: God the Father who gives His Son to us all; the Son who comes among us and offers us his life. God not only showered us with graces but He also entered human history, became part of us, lived as we live and gave us His time and His own life in order that we may become better people.
This is the reflection which I propose for this year’s Christmas: the special flavour of love. We learn the true meaning of love when we give of ourselves. We may do this within our own families, or during the course of our duty; however today I wish to reflect in a particular way upon the meaning of voluntary work: upon that person who, with a Christian approach, goes out of his way, beyond the call of duty, in order to be able to offer some of his time to help others.
I wish to propose the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model – Mary, whom we consider to be the most beautiful Christian and disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. From the very outset, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she placed herself entirely at God’s disposal: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your Word”. This Christmas, may we also, like the Blessed Virgin, heed God’s word and reply: “Lord, we too are your handmaids and we wish to do everything according to your Word”. This means that we should live ‘love’ because the Word of God is love.
The second thing which Mary did after accepting to fulfill God’s will was to visit her elderly relative, Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child. I would venture to say that this was the first instance of voluntary work to be performed after the coming of Christ. When Mary heard of Elizabeth’s situation, she did not send her a message, she did not send her a gift – she immediately left her home and went to her aid, to spend three months with her. This is what voluntary work is all about.
It is my desire that this Christmas, we too reflect upon this and ask: “do I concentrate only upon myself or is it possible for me to offer a part of my life to others? Am I able to offer up some precious time in order to be of assistance to others?” Our Lord wished to set an example which is important for us to keep in our hearts. Although it is a pleasure to receive, there is joy in giving – giving of your time, giving of yourself. This is the message which I wish to convey this Christmas – the value of voluntary work and the joy it brings.
May I go one step further and say that it is my desire that such voluntary work be not only a personal decision but rather a decision taken in an atmophere of Christian fellowship that should prevail not only at Christmastime but throughout the year. It is indeed admirable for parents to teach their children how to offer themselves to others, inspired by the kind of love that comes from the Lord Jesus. It is my desire that every Maltese boy and girl could experience, through their parents, the joy that comes from giving. This is what leads to change in our society.
It is often remarked that in our country, the presence of the Lord Jesus and the Church is made manifest. May our faith be translated into acts of self-giving, generosity, voluntary work; may this atmosphere be strongly felt. This is what I am proposing to the community, particularly to the faithful. In the light of this, I convey my wishes that the year 2011, which is the European year dedicated to Voluntary Work, may be imbued with this Christian spirit of self-giving which is so prevalent at Christmastime.
+ PAUL CREMONA O.P.
Archbishop of Malta