I propose for your reading a brief page with a significant thought of Pope John Paul II on priestly spirituality. It is taken from the letter addressed by the Pope to priests for Holy Thursday, when he was still hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic.
«From the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, March 13 [2005], 5th Sunday of Lent…, 27th of the Pontificate». With this “unusual” date concludes the traditional letter that the Pope sends to priests for Holy Thursday. «My thoughts turn to you, priests, while I am spending a period of treatment and rehabilitation in the hospital, sick among the sick, uniting in the Eucharist my suffering with that of Christ». We offer a few passages from it.
A profoundly “grateful” existence
«In every Mass — the Pope says to priests — we remember and relive the first sentiment expressed by Jesus in the act of the breaking of the bread: that of thanksgiving». «In particular, for the gift of faith, of which he has become the herald, and for that of the priesthood, which consecrates him entirely to the service of the Kingdom of God».
A “given” existence
The priest, the Pope continues, in imitation of Christ on the cross, «must learn to say, with truth and generosity: “Take and eat”. His life, in fact, has meaning if he knows how to make himself a gift». «Obeying out of love, perhaps renouncing legitimate spaces of freedom…, the priest brings about in his own flesh that “take and eat” with which Christ, at the Last Supper, entrusted himself to the Church».
An existence “saved” in order to save
How can we «be effectively privileged heralds» of salvation, «without feeling ourselves saved?». We ourselves are the first to be committed to «progressing on the path of perfection», if we want to be «credible heralds of salvation».
A “remembering” existence
«The Eucharist – the Pope states – does not simply recall an event: it recalls Him!». In a time when rapid cultural and social changes weaken the sense of tradition, «the priest is called to be… the man of the faithful remembrance of Christ and of his whole mystery».
A “consecrated” existence
«From our relationship with the Eucharist – the Pope explains – even the “sacred” condition of our life draws its most demanding meaning. It must shine through our whole manner of being, but first and foremost through the very manner of celebrating… To remain before Jesus in the Eucharist, to take advantage, in a certain sense, of our “solitudes” in order to fill them with this Presence, means giving to our consecration all the warmth of intimacy with Christ, from whom our life takes its joy and meaning».
An existence reaching out toward Christ
«The priest is one who, despite the passing of the years, continues to radiate youthfulness. Especially in the context of the New Evangelization, people have the right to turn to priests with the hope of “seeing” Christ in them. Young people in particular feel this need», whom Christ continues to call to himself in order to make them his friends and to propose to some the total gift of themselves to the cause of the Kingdom.
An existence at the school of Mary
«Who more than Mary can make us savor the greatness of the Eucharistic mystery?». «I implore her, therefore, for all of you; to her I entrust especially the elderly, the sick, and all who find themselves in difficulty».
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