“The Day has come.”…………… Today marks the very first day of the
4-day visit of Pope Francis here in the Philippines. Around 5:45 this
afternoon, the Supreme Pontiff would make his first step in the Philippines. With
the theme, “Mercy and Compassion”, Pope Francis would bring the mercy and
compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of every Filipino. “Do not
focus on me, rather focus on Jesus” said the Supreme Pontiff. These words imply nothing but
Jesus. Jesus, as the source of mercy and compassion, truly emanates in each one
of us. This emanation is perfected in today’s visit of the Supreme Pontiff. All
of us are happy indeed on this big event in the history of our Church and of the Philippines. We are all excited and no one can deny it.
Calling to mind on what happened
in Matthew 9:36 when Jesus after, “seeing the people, felt compassion for them,
because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.”
This visit of Pope Francis would answer the longing of each one of us, asking
Jesus’ mercy and compassion for the shortcomings we have committed. Yes,
constant struggles toward sin can become and epitome in striving our best to
make a difference in the eyes of God; being able to show mercy and compassion to
the least of our brothers and sisters in the society.
In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis
proclaims that “the Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where
everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good
life of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium, 114). His visit in the Philippines
starting today until January 19, 2015, brings him the challenges to become like
Christ, imitate on His virtues; mercy and compassion. The Filipino people are
now very ready to welcome the Pope that even pagans want to meet and hear words
from the Supreme Pontiff as it was reported yesterday in CBCPnews.ph.
Fr. Andy Sainyakit, a diocesan
priest from the Diocese of Amboina in Makassar, Indonesia and currently living
in the Philippines said in an interview, “The coming of papal visit is the
biggest grace for the Philippines not because of the presence of the pope but
because actually Christ is now visiting us through Him. It is Jesus we meet who
gives us joy and hope, especially to the downtrodden.”
For 4 days, we will be covering
live the activities of the Visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines. I hope the
visit of Pope Francis will become a success. Let us all welcome the “The
People’s Pope”.
VIVA EL PAPA!!! Here is a video clip; an interview with a Seminarian about his thoughts or insights, and feelings about the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis............
The two Popes I knew then who
visited Philippines were Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II, now St.
John Pall II had his visit twice. I just forgot the exact date. Never did I
have the chance to meet him in person, why? Fate did not favour me. The first
time he visited the Philippines was in 1981 and then followed his second visit
in 1995 for the World Youth Day held in Manila, Philippines. It was very
historical then. But, nothing was historical if I met the Pope in person. They
said, “LIBRE ANG MANGARAP”.
When the present Supreme Pontiff
of the Catholic Church announced last November, 2014 his visit in the
Philippines this January 15-19, 2015, I felt like I was again hitting my
forehead with a slingshot. It’s like, OMG..hahha.. I could not make it again
for the third time. Reasons? So many to mention. I believe not this time would
I meet the Pope. Maybe someday, I would still have a chance to meet him. Every
Filipino now is very excited I believe and so do I, even if I am hopeless to
see and talk to him personally. My prayers and hopes for the success of the
visit of Pope Francis in the only Christian country in the Southeast, the
Philippines.
Prior to this said event, the
Philippines has been devastated by the typhoon “Yolanda” which caused many
casualties especially in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines. The casualties were huge in Bohol province due 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Filipinos were in dire need of our assistance,
medication, food, and shelter. Thanks be to God, many people extended their
arms to help the victims of the said typhoon. The aftermath was enormous. Many
lives were wasted. Many sources of living were sacrificed. Perhaps we Filipinos
have already surrendered in this battle called Life if we do not engaged
ourselves to prayer and trust in the Lord. For some, they become hopeless. But
I believe then, most of them are still hopeful for the power of the Lord to
liberate them from this calamity has become very evident to their own lives. A question is raised by a certain
fellow; do we have to suffer first for the Pope to remember us, Filipinos?
“Mercy and Compassion” is the theme of this year’s Papal Visit. Pope Francis’
awareness of the tragic experience of the Filipinos in Tacloban, Leyte and
Bohol province somehow brings into a realization that “Mercy and Compassion” of
the Lord adheres in the heart of the Filipinos. It resides in the faith of each
Filipino.
It is proven already that Filipinos are always hopeful even if
calamities would come along our journeys. The visit of Pope Francis is a living
testimony that we, amidst difficulties and trials, are able to stand up and
walk for faith; for the service of our brothers and sisters in the community.
As it is declared by the Church that this year is the “Year of the Poor”, we
are again reminded of our duties and responsibilities for others. When Jesus
said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for there is the Kingdom of God”,
reflects that each one of us is poor and our being poor brings hope for the
Kingdom of God.
Pope Francis, as we have heard
and read from different sources, shows the example of being “poor”. He really
wants to bring people to Jesus by simply being poor. Being the Cardinal then of
Buenos Aires in Argentina, he preferred to live in a simple apartment nothing
else but living a simple lifestyle, i.e. cooking food for himself, washing
dishes, washing his own clothes, and the like. It is also reported that instead
of taking luxurious cars in going to a meeting or to places of appointments, he
preferred to take trains or buses as the case maybe. The Supreme Pontiff
already showed to us that he is absolutely “poor”. He is always in the service
of the poor.
Finally, this visit of the Supreme
Pontiff would bring nothing to Filipinos but joy; a joy filled with love and
hope, a joy that is down-to-earth, and a joy that is Christ-like. I may
personally have no chance of meeting the Pope but I am with the Filipinos in
expressing my warmest and sincerest thanks to Pope Francis for making our faith
alive again. Part of the schedule of the Pope is his visit to the Pontifical University of Sto. Tomas wherein he will meet the religious leaders and the youth. The youth plays a very important role in the Church; her ministry and evangelization. This visit becomes part of the ‘history’ and it remains in the hearts and lives of every Filipino.
“….All the delegates have
agreed that we wanted this trip to be more than just a tour, but a pilgrimage,
a spiritually enriching activity that will lead us closer to Christ in union
with the Holy Father, “ said Jeremiah Vardeleon, USA Student Council president.
And then many instances I
took place to see a kid taking his mother to buy for him a “tablet”, that is, a
mobile computer with touch screen display, circuitry, and battery in a single
unit. So many instances I witness a student in high school or college using
their cellular phones not in the proper place and time. While teachers are seriously discussing,
students at the back doing “selfies” which are utterly irrelevant to the
discourses. With due respect to the
companies, cellular phones and tablets must be applied with great
responsibility and concern.
Social media by its intent
and use, have nothing but convenience. Not to the extent of abusing its use,
but with responsibility and proper instruction to the many. For some, the
virtual world is not of great importance. People with practical concerns take
this not seriously unless they deliver business transactions. The bottom line
here is that people nowadays are living in a virtual world that even the least
in the society are aware and familiar with the “techy” thing or gadgets like i.e.
cellular phones or tablets or computers.
Virtual communication is
maybe the yearning of every soul in today’s universe. For drawing the best out
of it is the product of everyday inventions and innovations done worldwide.
Throughout the years, the said virtual communication made communication
possible. Its implications for people are tantamount to a milestones of
information and ideas relevant to one’s living. Time and energy may spend, but
the process of communicating is worthwhile for the majority. Yes, it is
time-consuming to those single-handedly experiencing the network page or the
internet world. Merely, for those who are good with this technology are
relaying the message with ease and assurance.
In this virtual world, we
must not forget that it has its own values and purpose. Abuse must be the sole
enemy of a virtual world or communication. People put up easily do
uncharacteristic behavior on the internet. We must avoid and aware of this
pressing issue otherwise we will become a dupe of some kind. In some schools,
particularly in Cebu, there are students who failed to graduate from high
school or in college because of the discovered uncharacteristic behavior in the
net i.e. social networking site. Youth or students of today are the number one
victim of this. Yes, they are very adept in this virtual world and most of the
times they are betrayed by it. Some instances propose that there are also
abuses done by someone in the virtual world by simply posting offended words to
others or cyber bullying as they named it. This is also rampant and need to
reflect upon by us who are also followers of this virtual world or
communication.
Does the main goal of
virtual communication defeat its purpose because of this abusive acts of
individuals?
This question perhaps we ask
because of the fact that we have experienced in today’s world. But the issue
can be solved if proper education is observed and taught by those who are
responsible in the virtual world. The Church is inviting lay faithful and
ordained ministers to make use of the virtual communication with great
responsibility and education. It is very proper not to make its abuses
otherwise the purpose of virtual world will be forfeited or defeated. Experts
have good vision and mission why they created virtual communication. The
problem lies on how people use or develop such avenue of communication. The
Church sees that virtual community can also be a real community given the fact
that the preachers can evangelize others through the use of internet or social
networking sites. It is easy for them to write or post their reflection in the
net so that others could see and read what they want to preach in the virtual
world. In this regard, many people have responded to do such thing to others
and even to the least brothers and sisters in the society. But, then again,
proper education and with sense of responsibility are to be taught by
responsible individuals.
The theme of this blog is
“youth evangelizaton”. As future minister of God, it is a challenge for me to
evangelize the youth of today bringing along the advantage of the virtual
communication into their lives as well as the disadvantage. It’s again a matter
of educating them. Youth have become the epitome of an ideal society. But this
society must be founded with good values. All of us are aware that virtual
communication is very relevant sometimes in this radical society. The world
today needs evangelization. Youth have a very important role in virtual
communication where its purpose is always for the betterment of the many. Above all, the role of parents in this trending digital communication is very huge. Dialogue with children is very urgent. In the family, parents must know their roles. In this virtual communication, dialogue with them is very important. It is then that they can inculcate values to them. Hence, real community exists due to constant dialogue with youth, with children, and with people in this trending digital world.
Here is a video clip about "virtual communication" and its usefulness in the virtual communities....
