My country was blessed by the recent Papal Visit last January 15-19, 2015. It was an event that the entire country was preparing for a year at least. The Philippines is the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, and the fourth largest Catholic country in the world. It is but pure joy for us to welcome the leader of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis arrived from Sri Lanka, late in the afternoon of January 15. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets where his convoy would pass from the Villamor Air Base to the Apostolic Nunciature where he would be staying. To catch a glimpse of His Holiness was enough to move my countrymen to tears.
Unfortunately, I was not able to go to the places where he would be meeting with the people and celebrating Mass. However, I had myself glued to the television for the live, uninterrupted coverage of his entire stay here. I listened to his Homilies, and with unexplainable joy, I watched as he celebrated Mass in Tacloban and Manila.
Pope Francis shared a lot of teachings and what struck me deep was when he had the “Encounter with the Youth” at the University of Santo Tomas on January 18. The activity was for the Pope to meet with leaders of other religions and to listen to the youth on the issues they are facing. The Pope was visibly moved by the testimony of a 12 year old girl named Glyzelle, who was abused and abandoned by her own mother. The girl is currently living in a facility run by Catholic charities. Here, the abandoned and abused children are cared for, educated and given new hope in life. As she stood before the Pope, Glyzelle said, “Many children have been abandoned by their parents. Many children get involved in drugs and prostitution.” Glyzelle then broke down in tears and asked the Pope, “Why does God allow these things to happen to us? The children are not guilty of anything.”
Pope Francis hugged the girl and consoled her. When Pope Francis started to speak, I felt it was the Holy Spirit speaking through him, delivering the message God wants to impart. Here is what he said:
“She is the only one who has put a question for which there is no answer and she wasn’t even able to express it in words but in tears.”
“The heart of your question has no reply. Only when we too can cry about the things you said can we come to answering that question. Why do children suffer so much? Why do children suffer? When the heart is able to ask itself and weep, then we can understand something. There is a worldly compassion which is useless.”
“Dear young boys and girls, today’s world does not know how to cry. The marginalized people, those left to one side are crying. Those who are discarded are crying. But we don’t understand much about these people in need.”
“Certain realities of life we can see only through eyes cleansed by our tears. I invite each one here to ask yourself – Have I learned how weep? Have I learned how to weep for the marginalized or for a street child who has a drug problem or for an abused child? Unfortunately, there are those who cry because they want something else.”
It has only been a day since the Pope left our country. He has given me a huge sense of renewed faith. Never have I been so moved to tears listening to a homily. Never have I been so willing to change my ways and be more compassionate to the needs of the poor. Pope Francis has enlightened me and fueled my fervor to be a “Messenger of the Light” It was through him that Jesus opened my eyes and made me look at the world in a different way.
Mercy and Compassion was the message of the Papal Visit. There are so many transgressions against the children, the poor, the women. I must do my part as a Catholic, as a Christian, to do as Jesus’ did. The task at hand is overwhelming; however, I can always start with myself. Show a little mercy, a small gesture of compassion every day will help me fulfill our mission to be a Messenger of the Light.
I have learned to weep. I am no longer afraid to cry. I have been blessed. May you too, be blessed with heavenly grace and wisdom.
“This is what helps you mature in your commitment to give to others – learn to open your hand from your very own poverty.”
-Pope Francis
Papal Visit to the Philippines
January 15-19, 2015
The post Learn to Cry appeared first on Heart and Soul Ezine.