As we prepare for Christmas 2023 celebrating the birth of Jesus, our
contemporary world is shaken by political turmoil and violent warfare.
Nevertheless, for more than two thousand years, the abiding spirit of Jesus
has called all of us to a new way of living. Jesus was kind and caring to everybody. What bothered him was any system that caused people to suffer.

Jesus’ presence and message remain our hope and our challenge today and for tomorrow.

We need to be alert to what is happening. And we need to act.

As my friend Archbishop Jean Jadot (1909 – 2009), Apostolic Delegate to the
U.S.A. from 1973 to 1980, often reminded me: “Now is the time to look
ahead. Just as we can look at the sky at night and tell what the morning will
bring, so we must be able to read the signs of the times to prepare for the
future.”

May we keep our eyes open. The future is in our hands.

“As long as there are people, Christ will walk the earth as your neighbor, as
the one through whom God calls you, speaks to you, makes demands on
you.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 – 1945): Reflections on Advent and Christmas.

My very best wishes for Christmas 2023 and the New Year!
Jack

PS: Another Voice will return in mid-January 2024.
Artwork today by Anthony VanArsdale