WHEN HEAVEN AND EARTH COME TOGETHER FOR LOVE

The Basilica of Saint Peter, in Vatican City, Rome, houses many works of art that are displayed for visitors as a historical legacy of the Church and humanity; such works of art are surprising by their magnitude and striking beauty. Personally, when I am in front of them, I am constantly surprised by the genius of these artists. The most outstanding is undoubtedly the famous Michelangelo, who’s works are surprisingly carefully crafted and detailed to the point of perfection; throughout the centuries millions continue to contemplate his beautiful works. The impressive quality of Michelangelo creations on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is truly breathtaking to behold.

Yet, the works of stunning art in the Vatican, as spectacular as they are do not compare with God’s masterpieces, made with God’s own hands, that is all around us beginning with you and I. God crowned His Creation by creating man and woman. Since according to the Sacred Scripture, we were the only beings made in His Image and Likeness; no human work can compare to His Creation. We are the perfected works of our God and Lord. Sadly, when man sinned, falling from the Grace of God, and thereby losing our original innocence, human nature became disfigured and deteriorated.
 
When the great artist Michelangelo was asked how he created his great sculptures, he replied, “All I do is remove the debris, for every block of marble hides a marvelous sculpture inside.” A response that wowed the questioner. I think that by sinning, we have concealed our original beauty, our innocence, our image as Children of God inscribed within us since our birth.

But God’s Eternal Love manifested once again by sending His Son Jesus Christ to restore humanity, revealing once again the masterpiece of God’s Creation within us all. This child born in a manger came in the least expected way, to confuse the wise and the powerful, incarnating in the blessed womb of the Virgin Mary. God had Mercy on all of us sinners and for His love, gave us an opportunity to restore and heal our hearts through His Son, removing the debris of sin to reveal our splendor. From the time of His birth until His death on the cross, our Savior’s mission was to offer men and women an opportunity to live fully free, not in slavery, and to recover their true identities as Children of God, getting rid of all the dirt that covered the perfected work of the Lord to the point of disfigurement which affects all of us.

The birth of this Divine Child is a cause for Joy, Hope and Love. Christmas makes no sense if we do not allow the Divine Child Jesus to be born in our hearts as described in the Holy Scripture, ”The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. And we have seen His Glory, the Glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of Grace and Truth.” (John 1: 14).  The best way to celebrate Christmas and the best gift we can give to the Divine Child is to offer and give abundant Love to others; to forgive and to ask for forgiveness, to seek reconciliation and Peace with those who are angry and distant.  That is Christmas, that is the true night of Peace!

I urge my faithful friends to consider that God became a man so that those who live in darkness and in the shadows of death may live in the Light. So that those who live in sin may rise and experience the Mercy of the Lord and live in Grace, so that those who feel alone and downcast may know that they have someone by their side, so that those who suffer and weep may have comfort and Hope, so that those who sustain injustice and violence may experience Peace.

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom; will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9: 6-7)

The end of the year is fast approaching and with it is the right time to thank God for His Fidelity, Generosity, and Kindness to us because, without His Guidance and Divine Assistance, the achievements we enjoyed would not have been possible; we are all included in His Abundant Blessings. It is only thanks to your prayers and monthly contributions, made from your generous heart, that ESNE can continue doing your work throughout the world. That is why I ask God Almighty in my prayers to shed His Abundant Blessings upon you and your beloved in the New Year, 2024.

I invite you, once again, to join the virtual consecration to Jesus Christ, an activity in which I am also participating. My congratulations to this group that is being consecrated and that will have their Consecration Mass on December 16. May they have Jesus be born early in their hearts. I invite you to become Consecrated to Jesus in 2024 as your New Year Resolution and to invite your family and friends to consider doing this too. If you want more guidance or information about this great Faith project and encounter that revives the call to be Catholics with an evangelizing and missionary commitment as the 73rd Disciple of Jesus, please call (818) 912-5847 and one of ESNE’s operators will help you or if you prefer send an email to info@iam73.net

The ESNE family, my family, and I wish all of you a Merry and Happy Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year under the protection of Our Holy Mother as our Virgin of Guadalupe, whom we celebrate on December 12 and her Most Holy Son Jesus.

Yours truly.
Noel Díaz.