More than Just a Glimpse, An Inspiration

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The sound of my voice reading some announcement in the 5:30 p.m. mass competed with the sounds from the Cathedral bells of the Immaculate Concepcion which heralded the arrival of the Roman Catholic Pontiff.  All together the sounds kept racing with my heartbeat knowing that Pope Francis has arrived in the country.  At mass, I have to hold my excitement as flashes of his face kept coming in my mind.

When I arrived home I immediately opened the television and the internet to monitor what was going on.  The sight of happy and welcoming faces, the sound of chanting and applause added to my excitement.  I was once again drowned with that euphoric feeling I experienced when I first saw Pope Francis in Rome in April 27, 2014.  I was thrown back to the experience of being one among a multitude of crowds wanting to get a glimpse of the Pope. I, too, took a five kilometer walk and braved the sea of people to get a view of Pope Francis.  I withstood the walking, the pushing and the standing from 5 a.m. till noon to finally be rewarded of being four meters near him.  Though I passed out in the process, I didn’t have any regrets – I got a candy for my tears, anyway.

Earlier in school, I was asked by one of my students as to my feelings when I saw the Pope.  I answered her, “I can’t explain it in a word”.  It was a very happy, fulfilling, heart-lightening feeling of some sort. I don’t understand where that feeling came from. 

Again, watching at the people’s reaction, I felt pity for many who did not see much of the face of Pope Francis in the dark of the night.  If only they could see more of the radiance that come from his face, they would be more than gratified to have jostled their way to come and see him.

Notwithstanding that the Philippines being the only Christian nation in Asia, the Pope’s coming to the country should not only be seen as a Church’s propaganda.  It should be viewed as God’s coming to touch our lives – the Pope being the Vicar of Christ.  This is to make us realize that behind our hardships and pains we are not left out to suffer in vain.  The Pope wants us to realize that he is not someone who should just stay in the comfort of his Office nor savor the accolade showered by the people.  Rather, he should be with his people to – feel what they feel, get a grasp of their joys and sufferings,  give them the inspiration that Faith is a moving factor that can transform lives.  Only then can people also realize how Bible teachings are translated into their everyday lives.  To me, this is the best way of conversion.  It is not only telling you the teachings, but showing you how the teachings work.

Pope Francis’ visit to the victims of Yolanda in Leyte is but a fitting act of mercy and compassion. These are the very people who must have momentarily doubted or perhaps lost faith in God because of the tragedy they have experienced.  The future may have seemed bleak for many of them.  These are the very people who need the assurance that they should hold on to their unwavering faith that despite the many and various life challenges there is a God that can salvage them from the quagmire they’re into.  With Pope Francis, the people will see through the eyes of God and feel the touch of His great love.

                Viva El Papa! Thank you for coming to the Philippines.  Indeed, you are  “The People’s Pope” .



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