"Like Lord Krishna and Buddha, Jesus Christ did not preach a mere ethical or social gospel, but an uncompromisingly spiritual one. He declared that God can be seen, that Divine Perfection can be achieved," writes Swami Prabhavananda. He continued, "In order that men might attain this supreme existence, he taught the renunciation of worldliness, the contemplation of God, and the purification of the heart through the love of God. These simple truths, stated repeatedly in the Sermon on the Mount, constitute its underlying theme..."
The question is, when would we feel the Spirit of Christmas? Is it found in the shopping malls, bars or the market square? In fact, where are we mortals looking for it? Do we expect it to come from the pulpits or from the wayside preacher? To some, it might be so. But the answer remains incomplete until we get to know ourselves, and our real purpose on planet earth. The late founding editor of the United States News of the World wrote, "December 23, 1955, that someday the spirit of Christmas will mean more in national and international affairs than it does today."
He continued, "Someday there will be peace on earth. Someday there will be goodwill toward men. When?" Will there ever be goodwill to men? Will there ever be peace on earth? Will there ever be the spirit of love? Will there ever be truth, integrity and honesty? The negatives or the immorals of life continue to outstage the morals of life. What has caused this social, moral, ethical and spiritual decadence?
The hope is there for a cure. Initiatives are being espoused at all national and international fora. Political leaders of the world's most metropolitan countries are hard at work. But success seems to elude them.
There must be an immediate embargo on all forms of terrorism, greed, waste, genocide, murders, corruption and the like. No amount of legislation will solve this. It must come from within. And this is within the competence of all of us. Whilst the world sit at the luncheon or dinner table and toast for peace and goodwill to all men, is it a genuine call? Most times, it is a mockery.
Most times, we speak of peace as an objective, but we seldom examine the ingredients of peace that comprise the moral and spiritual force of mankind. Whether one is a Hindu, a Muslim or a Christian, one has to revert to the Gita, the Qua'ran, or the Bible, principally the Sermon on the Mount. In the case of Christians, the underlying message of Christmas is found and circles around the Sermon on the Mount. Through it, mankind's hope for salvation may be realised for it is a monumental spiritual document of the most profound significance and importance. Now, we have the Sermon on the Mount and there is so much of problems in the world. What would have happened without it? Probably mankind would still be living in a world where in the immortal words of Hobbes, where the life of man would be, "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."
This sentiment was echoed some four centuries ago, but we have not changed or moved away from this axiom. For what are we waiting? Time is certainly not on our side. We in T&T, because of our cosmopolitan make up, can boast of sharing Christmas with each other. Christians and other religious denominations join with Hindus and Muslims in the observance of Divali and Eid. Likewise, Hindus and Muslims join hands with Christians and celebrate Christmas.
The Caparo Village Council has taken a bold move and has made a statement for religious and national unity. It has initiated a programme called, Evening for Christ, in which all religions Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Baptists join forces and celebrate Christmas with readings and sermons from the respective religious literature. We need a spiritual rebirth, a spiritual revolution reflecting the teachings of all the major religions. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." And commenting on this statement, German mystic, Angelus Silesius said, "Christ may be born a thousand times in Bethlehem, but if he is not born anew within your heart, you remain eternally forlorn."
We have to start living the Sermon on the Mount in order to celebrate the true meaning and message of Christmas. The Sermon on the Mount is a counsel for perfection. It teaches that the real goal of human life is to unfold and manifest divinity. Let us embark on a spiritual programme to uplift ourselves and our societies through the, "reverence for life." We have to do it. Or else who? Merry Christmas 2010. Happy New Year 2011.