The huge pilgrimage led by Archbishop Paul Cremona from Sunday 30 March till Monday 7 April in the Holy Land was undoubtedly a transforming experience. It brings to my mind the exuberant exclamation of Peter in front of Jesus’ splendour in glory on Mount Tabor: “Lord, it is well that we are here” (Matt 17, 4).
In many respects the pilgrimage to the Holy Land was an experience of metamorphosis. The different places that we visited opened for us, the 168 pilgrims, various pastures that lead to eternal life. Mainly it imprinted in our minds and hearts the reality that Christian life is a journey, many a time into the unknown. However for those who believe, it is a sure step in, with and through the Lord Jesus. The diverse holy sites that we visited all bear the imprint of a God who is always faithful to his promises. Neither time nor human weakness can stop God from showing his saving power. Our God reigns and all the earth trembles at his humility and fidelity to us, sinful human beings.
The Archbishop’s homilies elicited very well the point that by becoming man, God has become our servant. As Jesus says in Matthew’s Gospel: “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20, 28). Consequently, as a result of God’s loving service to us, we are called to serve others, much on the same lines of Jesus’ way of being: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (Jn 13, 34).
As pilgrims we are grateful to the sterling service given to us by Archbishop Cremona; the four Franciscan Friars guides, Fr Marcello Ghirlando, Fr Twanny Chircop, Fr Gwann Abela and Fr Noel Muscat; and also the staff at the Casa Nova of Nazareth, Betlehem and Jerusalem. It is my hope that this pilgrimage instilled in us a deep loving affection to Jesus and to the Land on which he lived, suffered, died and resurrected. Let us appreciate the assiduous work which the Commissariat of the Holy Land is doing in our Islands. I greatly encourage you to pray and financially support the Commissariat’s initiatives in the Holy Land.
Fr Mario Attard
OFM Cap
San Gwann