Archbishop Peter Jensen’s Christmas message

Jesus Christ once explained why he came into the world by likening himself to a doctor. A doctor only calls on the sick, he pointed out. He made his house call to earth to heal the sick in soul.

This year The Da Vinci Code has reminded us of how important Jesus is. Not that this piece of fiction is right about Jesus. Far from it. But one point is right: it presents us with a very human Jesus in contrast to the popular idea that Jesus is a god, a visitor from beyond.

When Jesus came to earth, he chose to come. He is indeed the Son of God, equal with God. But he also became truly man, not a fake man or a god pretending to be man. He truly became one of us and lived our life. He was born, he grew, he ate, he slept, he had friends, he died. All these are human activities.

Why do I call Jesus a doctor of the soul? This year, one of our leading adolescent psychologists referred to our teenagers as ‘spiritual anorexics’. We are all worried about the environment and possible climate change. But we should also be worried about the cultural climate, and the damage that it is doing to our young people.

It seems that parents are finding it very hard to pass on some vital elements of the healthy life, especially a sense of meaning, a sense of purpose and a capacity for relationships. This is what I mean by a sickness of the soul.

Jesus came into the world to heal such diseases of the soul. When we trust Jesus, and put him in charge of our lives, he gives us meaning, he gives us purpose, he gives us community.

Christmas continues to be celebrated by gift-giving because Jesus is the supreme gift to the world. No matter whether you are on your own this Christmas or with a great crowd of others, why don’t you put your trust in Jesus the one and only Doctor of your soul?

CONTACT: Margaret Rodgers (w) 02 9265 1507 (mobile) 0411 692 499