Beyond Francis

The story is told that traffic enforcers wanted to cite Pope Francis when he was here last week for three violations, namely: using a vehicle without a valid plate number, not wearing a seatbelt, and standing while the vehicle is in motion. But he was not arrested, in the spirit of mercy and compassion.

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In today’s Gospel (Mk. 1, 14-20), we hear that after John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus made His entry, declaring: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Pope Francis, while he was with us, reechoed powerfully this message of his Master by proclaiming and personifying mercy and compassion which are the fruits of true repentance.

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He has gone out of our sight, and we miss his physical presence in our very midst, but we must go beyond Francis. He himself has insisted that we focus, not on him, but on his Master. Francis, the star, pointing to Jesus, the Star of stars, the Superstar!

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Those of us who saw and encountered the Pope were blessed. Those of us who listened and reflected on his message were also blessed. Those of us who now put into practice his message are superblessed. Beyond our encounter with Francis, we must now strive to put our faith into practice.

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Francis must lead us to discipleship. Like Simon, Andrew, James and John who were called to become “fishers of men,” we, too, must abandon our nets and follow Him.

Our “nets” are those things that entangle, capture, or cramp us from truly heeding His call. A person with so much excess baggage and selfish personal agenda is a hired worker, not a true disciple.

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The most memorable and most touching “Francis moments” were those moments when he was simply Francis. Here was a person who went beyond his office and position as a priest, as a bishop, and as a pope, and reached out as a person. It was in those moments when we felt and glimpsed the Divine. A good question for all of us is: Stripped of my money, my power, my position, my status and my beauty, what kind of a person am I? Another question is: Because of my money, power, position, status and beauty, do people not see anymore the Divine in me?

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What makes Pope Francis connect? What makes him cool? It is his passion, and compassion. We have witnessed his passion and desire to reach out to all, especially to those who are in need of mercy and compassion. He is not afraid to go beyond creed, code and cult, taking the road of dialogue instead of debate, of encounter instead of confrontation, of listening instead of preaching. What makes Pope Francis connect? Because he is open! What makes him cool? Because he is warm! Let us not play the game of ICE (imposition, control, expectation). Otherwise, we’ll get frozen.

Pope Francis is telling us all: Let it go!

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Weren’t our hearts burning as the Pope spoke to us? His words were like bullets hitting the bull’s-eye in our very hearts. To borrow the lines of a song, he was “killing [us] softly with his song, telling [our] whole life with his words.” Yes, let us take time to reflect again and really listen to his message. So much words of life and wisdom! I like best what he said in a hurried goodbye speech at Palo Cathedral about his two requests: “First, pray for me. And second, please be quiet!” He underlined the special role of prayer and silence–in his life, in our lives. Without prayer and silence, he would not be speaking as he does. Now we know. Without prayer and silence, we end up disciples without a master, hired men without commitment, indeed mere noisy gongs and clanging cymbals without real content.

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Today, Jan. 25, is the first death anniversary of our Mama Concepcion. We gratefully remember her love, joyfully celebrate her eternal reward, and sincerely renew our resolve to continue our journey to God’s heart in the way she had shown us–through humility, prayerfulness and love. Until we meet again in the resurrection!

“Jerry, you go now. You still have something to do.” These were Mama’s last spoken words to me three days before she went into a coma, and eventually passed on. She left to me a mission, a purpose and an inspiration.

Didn’t the Lord tell His disciples to go to the whole world to preach the Gospel to all creation before He ascended unto heaven? And didn’t Pope Francis tell us before he left to do our mission and tell the world of God’s mercy and compassion?

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Significant people are people who leave behind a lasting legacy, and an important mission. In other words, significant people are those who point beyond themselves, who live for something or someone greater than themselves.

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Think about this: “When God blesses you financially, don’t raise your standard of living. Raise your standard of giving.”

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Bantay Matanda invites you to a lay forum on the “Common Eye Problems in the Elderly and Their Solution” on Jan. 31 at Tuklong Hall of Christ the King Seminary, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For inquiries, please call 3732262, 9982548, or 09174167849.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, remind us that it is when we go beyond ourselves that we really know what life and love are all about. Amen.