|
22. Having before our eyes the joys of the priestly life, this holy
synod cannot at the same time overlook the difficulties which priests
experience in the circumstances of contemporary life. For we know how
much economic and social conditions are transformed, and even more how
much the customs of men are changed, how much the scale of values is
changed in the estimation of men. As a result, the ministers of the
Church and sometimes the faithful themselves feel like strangers in
this world, anxiously looking for the ways and words with which to
communicate with it. For there are new obstacles which have arisen to
the faith: the seeming unproductivity of work done, and also the
bitter loneliness which men experience can lead them to the danger of
becoming spiritually depressed.
The world which today is entrusted to the loving ministry of the
pastors of the Church is that which God so loved that he would give
his only Son for it.[155] Truly this world, indeed weighed down
with many sins but also endowed with many talents, provides the Church
with the living stones[156] which are built up into the dwelling place
of God in the Spirit.[157] This same Holy Spirit, while
impelling the Church to open new ways to go to the world of today,
suggests and favors the growth of fitting adaptations in the ministry of
priests.
Priests should remember that in performing their office they are never
alone, but strengthened by the power of Almighty God, and believing
in Christ who called them to share in his Priesthood, they should
devote themselves to their ministry with complete trust, knowing that
God can cause charity to grow in them.[158] Let them be mindful of
their brothers in the priesthood as well, and also of the faithful of
the entire world who are associated with them. For all priests
cooperate in carrying out the saving plan of God,[159] that is, the
Mystery of Christ, the sacrament hidden from the ages in God, which
is only brought to fulfillment little by little through the
collaboration of many ministries in building up the Body of Christ
until it grows to the fullness of time. All this, hidden with Christ
in God,[160] can be uniquely perceived by faith. For the leaders of
the People of God must walk by faith, following the example of
faithful Abraham, who in faith "obeyed by going out into a place
which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out not knowing
where he was going" (Heb 11:8). Indeed, the dispenser of the
mysteries of God can see himself in the man who sowed his field, of
whom the Lord said: "then sleep and rise, night and day, and the
seed should sprout without his knowing" (Mk 4:27). As for the
rest, the Lord Jesus, who said: "Take courage, I have overcome
the world," (Jn 16:33) did not by these words promise his
Church a perfect victory in this world. Certainly this holy synod
rejoices that the earth has been sown with the seed of the Gospel which
now bears fruit in many places, under the direction of the Holy
Spirit who fills the whole earth and who has stirred up a missionary
spirit in the hearts of many priests and faithful. Concerning all
this, this holy synod gives fervent thanks to the priests of the entire
world. "Now to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure
far beyond what we ask or conceive in keeping with the power that is at
work in us-to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus"
(Eph 3:20-21).
|
|