Pope Francis: An Exemplar of being blessed

By: Jobelle L. Gonzales

Jorge Mario Bergoglio the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and the 266th elected Pope. He was deeply loved by the people for his simple lifestyle and openness. He was often seen riding commuter trains and encouraging priests to be “ministers of mercy” rather than being indulged in materialism. When Bergoglio received his Episcopal Ordination, he chose the phrase “miserando atque eligendo” as his Episcopal motto on his Coat of Arms, which means “by having mercy and by choosing him.” From this phrase, we can see how the Pope wants to practice mercy and compassion. Pope’s simple lifestyle shows us how we can be with the people and presents to us that we are all brothers and sisters of Christ. The Pope shows that to live simply and humbly is to show our oneness and unity with each other. We should strive to do our best to give love for one another especially to the poor.

The Pope’s last visit in the Philippines triggered hope and excitement; everybody was preparing to welcome him. The busy atmosphere can be felt all over the country in the preparation for the said Papal visit, as he arrived, Filipinos were happy to see the Pope. His visit was considered be a full of hope and joy for every Filipino. In His meeting with the young people in the Sports Field of the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, Manila held on January 18, 2015 he gave a great challenge of caring for the poor. He challenged us to offer ourselves for the renewal of the society and to help other people especially the poor. One of the striking events that happened at that moment was when Glyzelle Paloma, who is under the Tulay ng Kabataan Foundations shared her testimony of life to the Pope. The girl shared that many children now are experiencing being abandoned and living now in the streets because they do not have a family that will help them. She said to the Pope why God let these things happen to them, making them feel that nobody cares for them. At that moment, the Pope humbles himself and says nothing about this because he knew that he cannot easily answer that question. It is God who knows everything according to His plan for them. The moment comes when the girl can’t anymore speak instead expressed herself through tears. The moment the Pope saw the girl crying, he embraced her to show that she is not alone. He knew that words are not enough to express what we feel but through crying we can see the deeper meaning and feeling of each one of us. This is how he does his simple act of oneness with the poor and it reflected how blessed he is. The Pope encourages us to weep like she does, to be sensitive to the needs of others and to give ourselves for our least brethren.

At this moment, we can see the impact of the Pope’s presence to Glyzelle. When she was interviewed by GMA News team after the visit of the Pope in the Philippines, you will see how happy she is after she was embraced by the Pope. “Masaya po ako na nayakap ko si Pope at saka naka-kiss ako sa singsing niya,” she said. This line shows how she felt after that meaningful that event happened in her life. She also said, “Sana po maging mabait sila. Makakapagbago pa po sila ng buhay. May pag-asa po

sila.” From this line we can see how she gave hope to the needy, the hope she experienced through her encounter with the Pope. She also encourages us to change our attitude and to make differences in the world. She serves this as a wonderful experienced of her life. It is really evident in all the words that she says and the smile she gained that Pope’s character is the best exemplar on how to be blessed people.

Pope’s character really shows us on how to live a blessed life. Pope Francis encourages us to do something to change everything in this world that gives misery to the people especially the poor. The poor is the flesh of Christ as the Pope said. We have the responsibility to treat them fairly by giving great dignity and respect; and to give them words of encouragement to feel that they are blessed. To be blessed is to be poor as Jesus himself is poor, living our life in simple and meaningful way. To be poor means to look for the happiness that comes from God and not from the possessions of the world. A blessed people know how to weep. He is hungry to do everything to achieve justice for the oppressed. As the Pope visited us, he showed us on how to be true blessed people and gave this message of putting Christ in the center of our lives. The Holy Father came to us with a prophetic – mission to bring Christ and spread his message of “mercy and compassion.” To look on Jesus alone for He is the Lord, our Saviour.