He said that the solidarity should also extend to those living with various illnesses, especially those living with HIV, so that they may seek both spiritual and modern medical care with faith and without fear of discrimination.
In his Christmas message, the Cardinal also remembered all who serve the country at its borders and in the armed forces, who he said also deserve to celebrate the feast of the birth of Jesus Christ in peace.
“Since Christmas is the feast in which our Leader, our Shepherd, and our Protector gave Himself, it must be a time when we work for the dignity of the human person, when people respect one another, love one another, and support one another,” he said.
He further explained that Christmas “must be a time when the spirit of war and conflict is removed from our country, when peace descends upon our land and among our peoples, when we move from destruction toward unity and solidarity.”
The Cardinal said Christmas should also be a season when displaced and exiled persons return to their homes and communities, when students pursue their studies, farmers their agricultural work, and workers their various professions, “when violence ceases, and when our children grow up free from inherited trauma, becoming good citizens with pure minds and consciences.”
Cardinal Souraphiel, who serves as the Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Addis Ababa, reminded Christians in Ethiopia to embrace their duty of service and help the vulnerable as their Christian duty, which he said they should fulfill with joy, humility, and love.
He explained that the core of the Christian faith is not only that God created humanity, but also that He continually reaches out to us. Emphasizing God’s profound concern for the human condition, he noted that out of love, God humbled Himself by taking on human nature: “The Word became flesh.”
Reflecting on the explanations by various Church fathers on the mystery of incarnation through their spiritual teachings, the Cardinal said that the “mystery of Christianity is truly astonishing, not only that God became human, but that He became bread fit to be eaten by humanity.”
He said that Christians are invited to reflect deeply on the fact that Christ is called both Shepherd and Lamb. He explained that on the one hand, Jesus is the Good Shepherd as He feeds, guides, and protects.
“As presented in the Gospel of John, the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His flock. He descends even into the depths where humanity has fallen, carries the human person upon His shoulders, and brings him back. This is possible because the Word truly became flesh,” the Cardinal said.
