Taking Pope Francis’ cue that a shepherd should smell like his sheep, I did not join the concelebration of the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand. I stayed near the LRT UN station, admiring the deep faith of the “common tao,” unable to hold my ground due to the constant jostling from all sides. I bought bottled water from a woman seated beside a plant box, cradling an infant, and surrounded by four other kids of hers. When she said “I have seven children,” I declined the big change (sukli) she was handing me. Her family was a drop in that “sea of faith,” as a police general described the crowd and was quoted in an Inquirer report last Jan. 19. How I wished her family had the chance to get near the Pope, to receive his assurance that her family is no ordinary drop of water but deserved to be part of those drops of water the Pope mixed with the wine in the chalice he raised during the consecration.
Looking at the millions of souls desiring to be near the Pope, I prayed to Jesus that He send us thousands of vocations to the priesthood who would look after them, and be genuine channels of His mercy and compassion. Join me in this prayer. Who knows, one of the seven children of that unknown and ignored water vendor would be one of those called by the Good Shepherd.
I thank the Inquirer for the beautiful stories on the Pope’s visit.
—REV. FR. LUIS P. SUPAN,
lpsupan@gmail.com