25 February 2007 Rating 7% No Comment  

The choice of the Christian Dear sons and daughters who have been entrusted to my leadership as your Archbishop. 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 at a moment when every Christian has to look for that which 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 different from those of our faith. I encourage those Christians who are still near to the Church simply because they did not renounce their faith received from their parents and 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 find again Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Church. I pray every Christian and man of good will 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 survey, ninety-five per cent of the Maltese said that they believe in God. Yet, how many of these truly searched for and felt this Good News? Maybe some thought that it is enough not to reject God and turn to him when in need. God does not get confused, he still goes on to love me because he does not know how not to love. But God's love bears in us good fruit only when we receive it and it begins to effect a change in us. This is the true love in every relationship, even between married couples. In spite of my husband's or wife's love for me, what difference does it make to me if I go on to abuse of this love? What difference does it make, if the fact that I receive love does not change me in a way that I reciprocate that love? That is the reason 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 to share 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?' Who rejects this offer of God's love will, one way or another, even if not saying it verbally, reject all the difference Jesus brings about in our Faith and life. The 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 I define - of sin, of distraction, even of his rejection - will hinder God from going on to love me. We realise this because God continues to call and me and run after me 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 me only in this world. He goes on to love me also when I end my earthly life. He continues to love me for ever 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 I go to God for help in material needs only, and not to show me the way of eternal life, I shall be accepting only one part of the beauty of the Good News of Jesus. I shall be accepting only that which sifts through my mind, and that which filters through faith. If a Christian lives without praying to the Lord to see God's face, even if he lives to old age, he is not yet accepting the Good News in its totality. I beseech every Christian not to tire out thinking on this love and pray for it. We have to believe that, what is 'folly' for the world in which we live, for us it is very important and relevant, 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 mankind is called. And Jesus was ready to pay the price of suffering and death which mankind gave him for its fulfillment. When Jesus crushed death by rising from death, he made it possible that we also rise forever. This is the truth that fills with joy all believers. 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 to 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 every thing that seems 'death' there is the seed of life ready to spring forth if anyone assumes the duty to sow it. This happens every time I change the void in me to moments of prayer or help to others, This is realised every time I change a temptation of infidelity in marriage to a greater love for my husband or wife; when I end a relationship of friendship that can endanger my family; every time I change the death of grumbling and lack of attention in marriage and my family to expressions of love and attention. This happens each time I change my sin to sorrow and forgiveness in God's presence; every time that I change a word offensive to God to one of praise to him; every time I challenge that which is serving as an obstacle in my life and surroundings - excessive drink, gambling, drugs, infidelity - in a effort to search for help. This happens each time that I change my intention of the exploitation of workers or clients to one of respect; each time that I, a worker or client, do my duty with justice and honesty. This happens every time I change my anger, hate and suffering to forgiveness; every time I strive to iron out every separation - in families, feasts, politics - and strive for reconciliation. This happens each time that I transform someone else's poverty, every prejudice of race, or religion, or colour, to an occasion of helping others. This happens every time that I live my illness or suffering in union with the suffering Jesus and with others who suffer; that I 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 up herself, 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 on the example of Our Lady. May all this find us prepared to celebrate Holy Week in the spirit which changes the quality of our life. I impart on you my pastoral blessing as a pledge of all heavenly favours. Paul Cremona O.P. Archbishop of Malta