The Archbishop of Vrhbosna Cardinal Vinko Puljić congratulated the Catholics in BiH the greatest Christian holiday, Christmas, reminded of the year of the Christian laity, and called on the citizens to fight against hopelessness.
Puljić emphasized that the nation that does not love life has no future, and the light of Christmas is the source of life joy, life path, and facing with all challenges.
Cardinal Puljić also reminded that this was a jubilee year of the Divine mercy which enriched the believers with special spiritual content, and “believers received many merciful gifts in their soul for life. In the same mood they entered the special time of Advent and started preparing for celebration and experience of Christmas personally, with families, and with parish communities”.
Puljić also stated that, in order to continue the pastoral activity in the archdiocese, the year of the Catholic laity titled “Path of the Church of Vrhbosna with laity” began. The aim is to raise awareness of the role of laity in the Church, especially in parish communities.
Puljić also emphasized that despite the lovely merciful actions, the dark sides of life that people go experience cannot be avoided, and people must seek for strength and light of the Sacred Spirit.
“How can we not mention the strange hopelessness that caught many people and made them leave their homes? It is difficult to understand that this land, for which many sacrifices had been laid during the war, is now so easily abandoned. There, waiting for the resurrection of the dead, are laid the bones of our ancestors who died on this land and for this land. That is why we must encourage people to be more courageous, to face the everyday challenges, to fight for mutual rights and open new perspectives for life,” said Cardinal Puljić.
Puljić also reminded of the ill, elderly, abandoned, unattended people who need constant help and he thanked all the good people who join the process of taking care of them through various organizations.
“To experience Christmas means to discover the source of joy that brings the light into our life and enables us to face all challenges,” said Puljić and invited everyone to bring this spirit into their families, to cherish unity, understanding, forgiveness and cooperation. He also wished that the joy of Christmas brings joy to elderly, ill and abandoned ones, so that they could convey the love of God.
“I am sending you this message and greeting note with a wish to light the hope in your life and work. May this light enable you to live your life in joy. May this light multiply the faith and increases courage for life in this society that we must build, and not let into the hands of others to decide instead of us. In this spirit, I wish a Merry Christmas to every Catholic believer, every family, every child, every old man and old lady, to the ill ones and abandoned ones – may you all feel the joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas and all Christmas holidays, and God bless you all in the new 2017,” said Cardinal Puljić.
(Source: vijesti.ba)
