The Gospel in today's world

The beginning of the Jubilee Year for Priests, which Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated on June 19, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and day of prayer for the sanctification of the clergy, offers us a special opportunity to thank God and express our gratitude for all that priests do to ensure that the people entrusted in their care might experience more intensely the saving presence of the Risen Lord.

The Year for Priests has been called to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide. As described by the Holy Father in a letter to the priests of the world, this Year is meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a more forceful and incisive witness to the Gospel in today's world.

The saintly Curè of Ars would often say that "The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus". The Holy Father writes: "This touching expression makes us reflect, first of all, with heartfelt gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not only for the Church, but also for humanity itself. I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ's words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labours, their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation as "friends of Christ", whom He has called by name, chosen and sent?"

For a very long time, our islands have been richly blessed with vocations and have also been very generous in sending priests and religious abroad to the benefit and joy of so many communities throughout the world. They went forth to tend the flock of God entrusted in their charge in the knowledge that, as stated by St Peter, "when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory" (1 Pt 5:2,4).

Having lived and worked with priests practically all my life, as I write I think in particular of the work priests do every day, work that is often hidden and, without making headlines, causes the Kingdom of God to advance in people's minds and hearts.

Many are our priests who exercise their ministry in a discreet, dedicated, tenacious and creative way. These priests surely deserve our admiration, encouragement and prayers. More so when one remembers that today's priests are often also tested by a kind of environment, which may subject priestly activity to the temptations of fatigue and discouragement.

On such an occasion, one particular priest that comes to mind and to whom our country and our society owe so much, is San Gorg Preca, a shining example of meekness and humility who, as Pope John Paul II said, can be considered as Malta's second father in faith after Saint Paul.

Pope Benedict XVI described San Gorg Preca, who founded the Society of Christian Doctrine, as a friend of Jesus and a witness to the holiness that derives from him. "He was a priest totally dedicated to evangelisation: by his preaching, his writings, his spiritual direction and the administration of the sacraments and, first and foremost, by the example of his life.

The Johannine expression, Verbum caro factum est, always directed his soul and his work and, thus, the Lord could make use of him to give life to a praiseworthy institution, the Society of Christian Doctrine.

As a profoundly priestly and mystical soul, he poured himself out in effusions of love for God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary and the saints. He liked to repeat: "Lord God, how obliged to you I am! Thank you, Lord God, and forgive me, Lord God!'" (Canonisation Homily, St Peter's Square, Rome, June 3, 2007).

May the good Lord help all our priests to always be models of unity and harmony so that with their help we can likewise find inspiration to live in peace and work together as members of one family.