Fr Rob, could you start by sharing about your background and what initially drew you to your calling?
I was brought up in Malta, which is predominantly Catholic. So, it was a very Catholic upbringing, but at the age of 12 or 13 years old, I went through quite a rebellious stage. I was just so lost and confused. Then, I was forced to stop and think. The only place I knew to turn, was to where I saw my parents turn to, and that was ultimately their faith. This is because they had also struggled throughout their life, and I always saw them turn to God in their pain. So, for the first time, I decided to stop and do that. And through going to youth groups, then reconciling with my family and getting the professional help that I needed, I found hope again. After that, I spent the rest of my life wanting to help other young people come to that same understanding of God’s love and God’s purpose for their life.
How did you decide to be a voice in the community?
I never decided to be a voice, but I just can’t keep quiet because if you encounter God’s love, you can’t be still about it. If you’ve discovered something that you know is going to change lives you feel like you can’t stop talking about it until people hear about it. I never seek to be seen or to be heard, it’s just that I cannot be still. I’ve discovered this incredible hope, this incredible love of God, and I want the world to know so I’ll do whatever it takes for people to hear that message.
How would you define mission in the context of your faith and your work?
I would define mission as overflow. For me, mission is not about social justice. It’s not about doing the right thing. It’s not even about the poor. It’s about what Jesus has done for me. It’s an overflow, so I’ve received so much love that I must give it to others, but it starts from the source. So, in a sense, no matter how much you give, if it’s an overflow, you can never take the glory. You can never receive credit for it in a sense because you just naturally cannot help but give.
Would you say that sharing this overflow would define you as a missionary?
Absolutely. I mean, of course it requires self-sacrifice. It requires a lot, but at the end of the day it’s not about me. It’s not about my message. It’s not even about my Church. It’s simply about what God has done and what I’ve seen God do. So, yes, I am a missionary. I am a missionary in everything I do.
How can we better engage with young people toward meaningful missionary work?
It starts with you. So first, I would say work on your own Holiness. Work on your own relationship with God. Our young people don’t need to be preached at. They need people, leaders at the front who are ready to become vulnerable, to show their own brokenness and their own struggles, but also their own victories. Young people connect with human encounter and with divine encounter, so it’s about witness. So, to get started, get on the path to become vulnerable and talk about your struggle on that narrow path. But this also creates pathways for discipleship. It’s extremely difficult and it’s about helping them understand God’s love. And that consequently, God’s love calls us to action.
