“Burst into shouts of joy” (Is 52:9), proclaims the messenger of peace to those standing amid the ruins of a city yet to be rebuilt. At the beginning of his Christmas homily, Pope Leo XIV reminds us of this paradox: we too are part of this turning point, one that many still struggle to believe in — peace exists and is already among us.
Peace? Or rather a seed of peace that must be nurtured and allowed to grow?
Our community was deeply moved by the film “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, which movingly portrays the helplessness of the Red Crescent team trying to save a child trapped in a car in Gaza. Powerless yet present, they remain with her by phone and, at the heart of the documentary, pray with her. These rescuers bring to mind all those who strive, in different ways, to re-humanize unspeakable situations. They make visible the presence of God alongside all victims, on every side. Surrounded by alarming news, may we receive the contemplative gaze of Marie Eugénie and recognize, in these artisans of peace, witnesses to the growing Kingdom.
Together with the young people of our schools, parishes, and families, in a much more modest way, we prepared for Christmas by supporting those on the front lines against poverty. Cakes, shared festive meals, and invitations extended to isolated or excluded persons are concrete signs of our desire for peace.
When the fragility of others touches our hearts, when the suffering of others breaks through our hardened certainties, peace has already begun. The peace of God is born of a cry that is welcomed, of tears that are heard; it is born amid ruins that call for renewed solidarity. It is born of dreams and visions which, like prophecies, reverse the course of history. All this is real because Jesus is the Logos, the meaning through whom all things came into being (cf. Jn 1:3). This mystery speaks to us from the Nativity scenes we have created and calls us once again to conversion.
Yes, the Christmas season is a time when our hearts are invited to open and to become more like the heart of Jesus, made visible through concrete actions toward the most vulnerable, and by leading young people into this experience of closeness to the poor, who reveal God to us.
Thank you to Pope Leo XIV for reminding us of this.
Sr Françoise Emmmanuel,
Communauté d’Etterbeek
Province d'Europe
Read the homily here