HOLY THURSDAY
THE MERCIFUL POPE
“I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” – John 13:15
“Hello, Anna,” the voice on the phone said, “this is Pope Francis.”
Earlier, Anna Romano had written to the Pope, describing her turmoil when her pregnancy led her to discover that her fiancé was already married. She broke off their relationship and decided to keep the baby.
Anna recalled that the Pope talked to her like a dear old friend and said, “The baby is a gift from God, a sign of providence.” When she got worried that no one would agree to baptize her baby, Pope Francis assured her she’d find a willing priest. “But if not,” he said, “you know there’s always me.”
Pope Francis teaches us by example that the best way to bring people back to God is to love them first. He said, “The ministers of the Gospel must be people who can warm the hearts of the people, who walk through the dark night with them, who know how to dialogue and to descend themselves into their people’s night, but without getting lost.”
He’s talking about you and me, and how we can bring the light of the Gospel to those who need it most. Cecil Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com)
Reflection: “The ministers of the Church must be ministers of mercy above all. In pastoral ministry we must accompany people, and we must heal their wounds.” (Pope Francis)
Lord, help us fast from criticism and condescension. Purify our memories and our hearts that we may look upon each person with love and compassion.
St. Francis of Paola, hermit, pray for us.
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