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The priest God's gift to the world

weekly Letter from the Bishop of Calahorra and La Calzada-Logroño

for Sunday March 20, 2011

Pope Benedict XVI says beautifully, 'The priest is a gift from the heart of Christ, a gift to the Church and the world. " But Is this true? What is noted that the priest is a gift from God?

In this world where everything is measured from the perspective of power, money, progress, determined to be a world of winners and losers, the priest reminds us, by word and example, that the true happiness and salvation are ultimately not the victory, success comes from God. The priest, with his humble service and selfless love and loyalty beyond the vagaries of fashion ideas and reminds us every day that God alone suffices, but God is the true happiness and fulfillment of man. To some, it bothers them and try to belittle her by labeling of old and boring, but it is a gift for someone, in this case the priest, help us to open our eyes and remind us, and discover that God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the true treasure of life, and only He found happiness in full. However, we can state unequivocally that the man in this culture without God is not happier than the believer who walks with God. In this society that has lost its way, how we need men of God, priests, saints!

In this highly individualistic society, where everyone goes about their business, is a true gift that the priest works to build community ties. His vocation their work, the mission received from God through the Church, is to serve everyone: large and small, smart and dumb, on one side or the other. Its mission is to be the father of all people without excluding anyone, gather everyone around the table of the Lord, just as the parent meets his own. As a parent, every day are the bread of the Word and the Bread of Life, the body of Christ. To do this, is known to all, accepting all and welcoming all. No wonder his pastor's heart. St. Paul puts it beautifully when he says: I have become a slave to all to win as many as possible. I became a Jew to the Jews, to win the Jews, with those under the law and who is under the law, being not under law, to win those under the law. I became weak with the weak to win the weak, I've done everything to everyone, to win, either way, some of them. And everything I do for the Gospel, I also participate assets. Pastoral charity led him to be close to everyone, trying to see in every human being the great beauty and dignity of being human is a carrier: the image of God, to be nothing more and nothing less than the son of God.

And the priest is also a gift from God because prayer and sacrifice by all. Madruga to be in prayer before the Lord giving thanks for the new day and asking him to protect and care for all members of their community and the world. Reza at noon asking the Lord to strengthen those who are tired, sick, those who seek the truth and not find it. And pray for at night, before the end of the day, asking the Lord to forgive his sins, praying for those who live in the darkness of error and praying for those who have left this world, those who find it very heavy Cross that they have to carry, for those unable to forgive and keep the hatred in his heart. And pray also for those who give good testimony of their faith, families together, by the peacemakers ... Prayer has power extraordinary. Jesus put it well: you ask the Father in my name, I will grant it.

pilgrim Christian Community in La Rioja: do not get tired of thanking God for the great gift we are the priests. When we do not have, we miss those. Take care of them, welcome them warmly and be sure to ask that we do not miss ever. Yes, calls for the holy and God grant us abundant vocations to the priesthood.

Dear priests, thanks for the great work you do, being in the service of God and the Christian community. Do not be discouraged if many do not understand your vocation. And never forget who is the Lord who has chosen and sent you to be witnesses of His merciful love in the midst of the world. He is faithful and I will always be suitable. So the Lord tells us: Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, and I will refresh you. Learn from me who am meek and humble of heart. In Him, dear brother priests, we find every day, every night, our peace and our rest.

With my love and blessing to you, brother priests, all of you, brothers of La Rioja, the People of God.

† Juan Jose Omella Omella

Bishop of Calahorra and La Calzada-Logroño