Pontiff: Priests Are Called to Abide in God

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is inviting priests to deepen in their prayer, reminding them that they are called to abide in God.

The Pope stated this today in a homily at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the priestly ordination of 14 deacons of the Diocese of Rome.

He pointed to the example of the Apostles, who were "permitted to see what others do not see," by being with Jesus, by "staying with him in prayer."

In this way, the Pontiff pointed out, "there comes a knowledge that goes beyond the opinions of the people to reach the profound identity of Jesus, to reach the truth."

He continued: "Here we are furnished with a very precise pointer for the life and mission of the priest: In prayer he is called to rediscover the ever new face of his Lord and always the most authentic content of his mission.

"Only he who has an intimate relationship with the Lord is drawn by him, can bring him to others, can be sent."

"This is an 'abiding with him' that must always accompany the exercise of priestly ministry," the Holy Father affirmed. "It must be the central part of it, also and above all in difficult moments when it seems that 'having things to do' must take priority."

He reiterated, "Wherever we are, whatever we do, we must always 'abide with him.'"

Benedict XVI reminded his listeners that the priesthood "rests on the courage to say yes to another will, in the awareness, to be cultivated every day, that conforming ourselves to the will of God, being immersed in this will, not only does not erase our originality, but, on the contrary, we will enter more and more into the truth of our being and our ministry."

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