Who is like God?

St. George Preca encouraged us to greet Jesus with "Hail, King of Kings" whenever we are in front of the Blessed Sacrament, as a way to counteract the mockery He endured from the soldiers who ridiculed Him as the King of the Jews. The Roman soldiers, in their derision, knelt before Christ and said, "Hail, O King of the Jews!" (Ave, Rex Judaeorum!). Therefore, it is fitting for Christians to honor and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament by proclaiming, "Hail, O King of Kings!" (Ave, Rex regum!) before genuflecting. This salutation is reserved for the Divinity. Jesus Christ is the true and living God, the universal sovereign, even over those who do not recognize Him as such. Let us remember to salute Jesus with Ave, Rex regum! every time we pass by a church or are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

In Silence, Sobriety, Solidarity: Living with a Contemplative Heart, Michael Downey provides a guide on embracing the Trappist charism beyond the monastery. His profound theological insights enrich the text, while his poetic writing and prayerful tone infuse every page with a sense of silence, sobriety, and solidarity. This book offers solace to those feeling overwhelmed and disconnected in today's fast-paced world. Downey, a keen observer of modern life, addresses the distractions that impede spiritual growth and guides readers toward a more prayerful existence. Reflecting the journey of Charles de Foucauld, this book demonstrates how silence opens one to mystery, sobriety heals the soul, and solidarity fosters divine encounters. Downey’s teachings are not merely steps to perfection but invitations to deepen our spiritual longings. Silence, Sobriety, Solidarity: Living with a Contemplative Heart is a reliable companion for anyone seeking a prayerful life amid the chaos of modern living. Available from Librerija Preca.

All big or small organisations tend to have their mission statement - from schools to charity organisations and all sorts of businesses. The mission of the Church is so clear and to the point. As stated in the Vatican II document Evangelii Nuntiandi, the Church exists in order to evangelise (14). This clarity of purpose emanates from Jesus’ words when he ordered his disciples to proclaim his word, be witnesses, make disciples, teach and baptise. Over the centuries and throughout its history, the Church has been blessed with so many generous people, male and female, who have responded to the call to be Evangelisers and do their bit in proclaiming the message of the Lord to others. Many did this within their close circle of friends and family, within their parish, such as volunteering to be catechists, and many others who took a further step of leaving their country of birth and become missionaries in other parts of the world. Many recent popes have renewed and echoed the call for us all to be part of this evangelisation process. It is our responsibility as members of the Christian community to reflect and ask what is our role in all this - in what way can I be a witness and evangeliser in my daily life? Evangelisation is the mission of the Church, not just of a few, but my, your, our mission. Pope Francis

For those interested in learning more about St. George Preca, a highly recommended book is the one written by Alexander Bonnici O.F.M.Conv. in 1977, titled Dun Ġorġ Preca fid-Dawl ta' l-Ittri Tiegħu (Fr. George Preca in the Light of His Letters). Although the letters sent by Fr. Preca are personal correspondence, they provide authentic insights into the main goals of his life, how he intended to help others, and the foundation of his spirituality. These letters reveal the genuine character and saintly life of Fr. Preca. In 2007, a revised edition by Edmund Teuma OFMConv. was published under the title San Ġorġ Preca fid-Dawl ta' l-Ittri Tiegħu (St. George Preca in the Light of His Letters). This book, in Maltese, is invaluable not only for those wanting to know more about this humble and holy priest but also for anyone wishing to conduct deeper research on this figure, who is considered the second father in faith for the Maltese.

'Caravaggio', whose real name was ‘Michelangelo Merisi ’(1571-1610), is still referred to both as the mischievous young man and as a genius painter. One can still distinguish his works by the light he cast on his characters, making them come to life. Between 1599 and 1601 Michelangelo produced three pictures in honour of Saint Matthew, among them The Calling of Matthew, for the church of Saint Louis of the French, in Rome. These three paintings were enough to make him renowned. The Calling of Matthew The scene is set in a tavern, in the customs room or in a betting shop. The characters around the table are all men of different ages. One is wearing sober clothes, while the others are colourful and bright. What brought them together? Maybe the money they collected from the taxes. Suddenly something arouses the attention of one of them, while there is little reaction from the others. This man in the middle of the table was Matthew. A gesture from Jesus sparks the scene and brings a ray of light that fills the emptiness that lies between him and the other characters. His presence alarms them. The way Jesus stretches out his hand towards Matthew recalls to mind the gesture of God stretching his hand to touch that of Adam in Michelangelo's other painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Calling Matthew Jesus ’hand resembles that of God performing the work of creation, with one difference: the hand of Jesus is depicted as one making a move, one that makes it easy for Matthew to accept the invitation. Jesus was going about his preaching ministry. His feet are already turned towards the door through which he will soon be leaving. Perhaps Matthew is wondering how Jesus found himself there! In John 3 verse 8, Jesus says: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes." The clothes of Jesus places him out of time. Jesus represents another world, while he builds a bridge between him and the men at the table, offering them the possibility to leave behind the table around which they are seated. The reactions to Jesus’ appearance are varied. One of the men shows a reflex response: his hands are quick to cover the coins on the table. For the two men on the left, it is as if nothing happened. They could not realise the importance of the event, once they have already chosen their master: the coins of precious metal that they worship and keep so tightly. Very elegant, wearing a beautiful hat with a feather shining in the light, and a red gold-fringed cloak, the young man next to Matthew holds himself back. He notes and considers, but he doesn’t seem prepared to take risks. Matthew on the other hand looks baffled. He did not expect this encounter, nor the invitation directed at him. One hand is naturally upon the money as expected from a taxman. His other hand is pointing towards his chest as if wondering whether Jesus is really calling him: "Who? ... me?” But Matthew has already said “yes" in his heart. Under the table, his legs are ready to lift him up to follow Jesus. "Leaving everything, he got up and followed him" (Luke 5,28). He followed him... quite willingly!

Let us rejoice today in a special way, with St Michael and his companions. Let us praise them and bless them for they are faithful servants of God. Praise, honour and glory to St Michael and all the faithful Angels, and to God  for all he has done to them! St George Preca had a profound devotion to St. Michael the Archangel, whom he chose as the Defender of the Society of Christian Doctrine (SDC). He used to encourage the SDC members to greet St. Michael daily with the following words: We greet you, Saint Michael: You are a mighty Prince: You are our guardian: We ask you to pray God for us. Honour and glory to you, gracious Michael the Archangel. Your name is great indeed everywhere. Your name makes the heavens rejoice, strengthen the Church militant, and consoles those in purgatory. Hell trembles fearfully because of the great unforgettable victory which you had over God’s enemies. Honour and glory to all the angels ministering before the Lord. Several events in St George Preca’s life highlight the significant role St. Michael played for him. One notable instance was a vision he experienced around the age of five, where he encountered a young man dressed as a British officer who handed him a golden watch. Later in life, St George Preca interpreted this event symbolically, believing the officer to be St. Michael and the watch to represent the prayer book of the SDC members, entitled The Watch. Preca’s devotion to St Michael was further demonstrated through his enthusiastic celebration of St. Michael’s feast on September 29. He often urged SDC members to spend the entire night of the vigil in prayer, a practice that continues today. The Hebrew name mîḵā'ēl, meaning ‘who is like God’, still resonates around the world today. May we continue to echo this truth through our words and actions, so that all people recognise that there is no one above God and humbly surrender their will to our most loving Heavenly Father.

The Rule of St. Benedict by Mastro and Meisel provides a clear and easy-to-read modern translation of the original text. The authors explain St. Benedict's guidelines for monastic life and show how they can still be useful today. They focus on the Rule's teachings about living in a community, being humble and obedient, and practicing virtues in everyday life. The book is well-researched and easy to understand, making it useful for both study and personal use. Mastro and Meisel's translation keeps St. Benedict's spiritual and practical advice intact, with added notes to help readers understand monastic life and its potential to change lives for those who want to follow Christ. With detailed explanations, the book gives a good overview of the daily routines and spiritual practices of Benedictine monks. Overall, The Rule of St. Benedict is meant for anyone interested in Benedictine spirituality, but its advice on living a spiritual life through work, prayer, and study is beneficial for everyone. A Maltese translation of the Rule of St. Benedict by Joseph Flask is freely available on Laikos.org.