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Pastoral Visit in Asia of Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (July 2002)

FRIDAY July 5, 2002 - 2pm
Eucharistic Celebration with Priestly Ordinations

[Isaiah 61, 1-3; Rom 12, 4-8; Jn 15, 9-17]

Eucharistic Celebration with Priestly Ordinations July 5

Introduction

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me and sent me to carry the good news to the poor, to heal the wounds of broken hearts" [Is 61,1]. Dear Ordinands I am particularly happy to hand on to you today the greatest gift God can bestow on a creature: priestly ordination. In fact, through my laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration, the Holy Spirit will communicate to you the sacramental grace of the priesthood, a gift and mystery which will radically change your person. You will be able to remember this event many times in your life in future to draw from it spiritual fervour and encouragement.
	The readings we have just heard underline the spirit in which we are called to live and exercise the priestly ministry.

The priest is a friend of Christ
During the Last Supper, Jesus reveals, at a moment of intense communion, the type of relationship he intends to maintain with the Twelve: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love." (Jn 15,9). He continues: "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." [Jn 15, 14-15].
	These words were spoken by Jesus in the eucharistic and the priestly context of the Last Supper, after he had used other mysterious expressions: "Take this, all of you and eat it: this is my body"; "Take this, all of you and drink it: this is the cup of my blood shed for you and for many, so that sins may be forgiven"; "do this in memory of me". Therefore the institution of the Eucharist and the gift of the priesthood take place in an atmosphere of profound friendship, a manifestation of the total love and election that Christ has for us.
"Friends" Jesus called the Apostles and in the same way he calls each of us. Through the sacrament of Holy Orders, you will soon share in his Priesthood. Let us listen to his words with emotion and humility because they contain the truth about us, sharers in the priesthood of Christ and ministers of the Eucharist. My dear young men, I ask you, on behalf of the Church, to live your priesthood with authenticity.
Strive therefore to maintain a personal friendship with Jesus. If Jesus, the person who loves us most and who attracts us most, is truly important for you, if his person fills every space in your heart, your future as priests will be guaranteed.
	You too, with the Apostle Paul will be able to say : "It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me" [Gal 2,20]; "For me, to live is Christ" [Phil. 1,21]. It is this radical testimony of priestly life that people deserve and need.

The priest, a friend of Christ who becomes a friend of people
But there is another expression used by Jesus at the Last Supper which is charged with consequences for our apostolic mission: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide" [Jn 15,16].

Friendship between Jesus and the apostles has an operative result: which is mission. In his priestly prayer Jesus says to the Father: "As you sent me into the world so I send them into the world" [Jn 17,18]. Therefore the friends of Jesus, through communion with him are enabled and ready to be sent to all people, to carry on the same mission of the Redeemer of mankind.
	Friends of Jesus and, like him, friends of all men and women. It is not exaggerated to say that the priest represents and enacts concretely God's love for mankind. It is not by chance that when Jesus begins his public ministry at Nazareth, he attributes to himself the words of the prophet Isaiah in the first reading. Every priest is sent, like Jesus, "to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,  to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." [Is 61,1-2; Lk 4, 18-19].
	You are aware of the profound meaning of such a special mission. This redemption is supernatural, it involves the final destination of life, while not neglecting life's earthly dimension. The Church lives "where man lives". Therefore salvation implies also working for justice and peace. To you, taking into account the situation of your Church, I say: be generous and convinced dispensers of that integral salvation that Christ won for us all with his death and resurrection. Approach with love your brothers and sister, especially those who suffer. become for them men of hope, communion and harmony.
	The duties connected with Holy Orders, besides that of consecrating the bread and wine, include that of reconciliation. The priest represents the love of God, who is the Father "rich in mercy" [Eph 2,4] and forgiveness. 
	The ministry of reconciliation is first of all, for the forgiveness of sins.  This comes about through the sacrament of confession, but it is also reconciliation in a general sense. That is, harmony among brothers and sisters, reciprocal forgiveness, human collaboration and social peace.
	In order to be a visible and authentic sign of this reconciliation, the priest must be free: he must not take sides, he must be free of ethnic, social or political ties, even of family bonds. He belongs only to Christ and to the Church, the mystical Body of Christ.

Conclusion
At the end of this reflection, as my wish for your future, I recall what Jesus said to his apostles on Holy Thursday evening: "This is my body - this is the cup of my blood". This is the testament, the foundation of the life of every priest. All through our life, let us always pronounce these words as if it were the very first time.
	May the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ the supreme and eternal Priest, intercede for you. May her intercession render you witnesses of the truth, faithful dispensers of grace and courageous operators of reconciliation, brotherhood and peace.

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