In his first pastoral letter, which marks the beginning of Lent, Archbishop Paul Cremona stresses the values which the Christian today should cherish most. The letter is being read in all churches in Malta today.

This is a translation of the full text of the letter:

I am writing to you for the first time since being chosen as archbishop of this archdiocese. In this pastoral letter, I wish to share with you those values which I feel are the most important for our times, and which are the result of our faith in Jesus Christ. These have been passed on to us through the Church he established.

We are living at a time when every Christian has to look for what distinguishes him as a Christian, his Christian identity, on a personal basis. This is important because we have to live our faith in a world that sends messages which are quite different from those of our faith.

I encourage those Christians who are still close to the Church simply because they did not renounce the faith they received from their parents but did not grow in it, to enter deeper into the Lord's friendship.

I encourage those Christians who left the Church because they feel that what they received in faith was not strong enough to convince them to remain in the Church, to rediscover Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Church.

I appeal to every Christian and person of goodwill to ask what our patron, St Paul, asked at his conversion: "Who are you, Lord? What do you want me to do, Lord?" Like St Paul, these questions have to be the beginning of a new friendship that leads everyone to a new recognition of Christ in the Church through the Word of God and the Eucharist.

The Good News

When Pope John Paul II visited Malta, he told us that the Good News was "God loves you!" In a recent survey, 95 per cent of the Maltese said that they believe in God. Yet, how many of these have truly searched for and felt this Good News? Maybe some thought it is enough not to reject God and turn to Him when in need.

God does not get confused; He still carries on loving us because he does not know how not to love. But God's love bears good fruit in us only when we receive it and it starts to change us. This is the true love in every relationship, even between married couples. What difference does it make to me if in spite of my husband's or wife's love for me, I go on to abuse this love?

What difference does it make if the fact that I receive love does not change me in such a way that I reciprocate that love? That is why Pope Benedict XVI wrote his encyclical Deus caritas est (God is Love), purposely to explain to us what true love is.

This is what I thought of sharing with you in this first pastoral letter. Each one of us needs to accept this offer and God's challenge as seen in Jesus Christ: "How can you be so mean with me in time, in attention, in thought, in deed, in your witness in front of others, when I sent my Son to win your love?"

Whoever rejects this offer of God's love will, one way or another, reject all the difference Jesus brings to their faith and life, even if they do not say it verbally.

Mystery of Easter

Jesus taught us a great deal on the way God loves and comforts us. But the most important thing that Jesus told us was that God the Father loves us with 'infinite' love. This word means that God's love for us is 'without end', without limits. This means that none of the limits we impose - of sin, of distraction, even of His rejection - will hinder God from continuing to love us. We realise this because God continues to call us and run after us to get near Him.

Yet, the word 'infinite' also means something greater.

God's love, since it is truly divine, cannot be just for this world. Since God is eternal, He lasts forever. He cannot love us only in this world. He carries on loving us even when we end our earthly life. He continues to love us forever in another reality.

No Christian will be accepting the whole Mystery of the love of God the Father, as Jesus showed, if he does not believe that God has life everlasting. If we go to God for help in material needs only, and not to show us the way of eternal life, we shall be accepting only one part of the beauty of the Good News of Jesus.

We shall be accepting only that which goes through our mind, and that which filters through faith. If a Christian lives without praying to the Lord to see God face to face, even if he lives to a ripe old age, he is not yet accepting the Good News in its totality.

I urge every Christian not to give up thinking of this love and praying for it. We have to believe that, what is 'folly' for the world in which we live, is very important and relevant for us, because it is life. This thought should be the source of much joy and peace for all who embrace it.

This is so important for God the Father who sent His Son among us. He came to preach this truth of the Eternal Kingdom to which all man kind is called. And Jesus was ready to pay the price of suffering and death which mankind brought upon him to reach this fulfilment. When Jesus overcame death by his resurrection, he made it possible for us also to rise forever.

This is the truth that fills all believers with joy. Without it, the motivation to lead a Christian life will be weak. That is why St Paul teaches us that we are baptised and partake in the Eucharist as a renewal in the grace of this mystery.

I encourage every Christian to reflect frequently on this love even by means of the Blessed Rosary.

Living the Resurrection

The life of Jesus was a lesson on how to get to the Kingdom. The Kingdom is the Kingdom of God who is good. Therefore, the Christian has to choose between good and evil and live in goodness and repent for his sins. Jesus encourages us to do so when he told us to store treasures in Heaven.

We live this Easter Mystery every time we change something bad into something good. I wish to propose something we can do during Lent so that our life will be a deeper witness to our belief in this mystery: that under everything that seems 'dead' there is the seed of life ready to spring forth if anyone takes up the duty to sow it.

This happens every time we change the void in us to moments of prayer or help to others.

This is realised every time we change a temptation of infidelity in marriage to a greater love for our husband or wife; when we end a relationship of friendship that can endanger my family; every time we change constant complaining and lack of attention in marriage and our family to expressions of love and attention.

This happens each time we change our sin to sorrow and forgiveness in God's presence; every time that we change a word which is offensive to God into one of praise to Him; every time we challenge what is proving to be an obstacle to our life and surroundings - excessive drinking, gambling, drugs, infidelity - in a effort to seek help.

This happens every time we change our intention to exploit workers or clients into one of respect; each time that we, as workers or clients, do our duty with justice and honesty.

This happens every time we change our anger, hatred and suffering into forgiveness; every time we strive to iron out every division - in families, feasts, politics - and strive for reconciliation.

This happens each time we transform someone else's poverty, every prejudice regarding race, or religion, or colour, into an occasion to help others.

This happens every time we live our illness or suffering in union with the suffering Jesus and with others who suffer; every time we relieve the fear of death through the hope of eternal life.

Mary's example

That is what Our Lady did. She lived the suffering and death of her Son Jesus with great sorrow. But, in the Acts of the Apostles, we see that she changed all this to a Resurrection because, instead of shutting herself off from the world, she joined her Son's disciples in prayer to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

I am entrusting you with this mission throughout Lent following Our Lady's example. May all this find us prepared to celebrate Holy Week in the spirit which changes the quality of our life.