I cannot let go unnoticed the wise and timely reflection preached by Rev. Dr Richard Farrugia, rector of the Diocesan Seminary of Gozo, and delivered as an homily during Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception celebrated at St Francis Conventual Church in Victoria on Friday.

The reflection emphasised the need for every Christian to carry a smile that reflects the beauty of the sequela Christi.  In short, the preacher mentioned the call for every follower of Christ to search for all that is good, beautiful and true, thus echoing the ancient values of the bonum, pulchrum, verum; the three notions that have always been at the centre of the Gospel but which, unfortunately, we tend to forget from time to time.

I couldn’t help myself bringing to mind Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium which might easily have been a powerful inspiration for the preacher himself.

If only our brothers and sisters in Jerusalem would heed this message, peace could be possibly restored to the Holy City ignoring the lack of wisdom that emanates from the powers that be, which – given their position of authority – should know better. Fr Richard, thank you and keep it up.