Love for neighbor, care for justice and for the poor are not only themes of social morality, but especially the expression of a sacramental conception of Christian morality, because, through the ministry of priests the spiritual sacrifice of all the faithful, in union with that of Christ, only Mediator, is fulfilled: a sacrifice which priests offer in an unbloody and sacramental manner, in expectation of the future coming of the Lord....Following the Second Vatican Council, the impression was given here and there that in the mission of priests in this our age there was something more urgent; some thought that it was necessary, in the first place, to build a different society....Jesus, in his time and today, sends the Apostles to announce the Gospel and gives them the power to expel evil spirits. "Announcement" and "power", that is, "word" and "Sacrament" are therefore the two fundamental pillars of priestly service, above their various configurations.
Benedict XVI
July 1, 2009
