Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist
FROM ADMIRATION TO
IMITATION
He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed. – Matthew 9:9
For four blessed days we went agog over Pope Francis during his visit
to the Philippines. We were glued to the TV, we lined up the streets to
get a fleeting glance, we waited at the places where he would be. We
wore papal T-shirts and bought all sorts of souvenirs to remember those
days.
At the University of Sto. Tomas grounds, he exhorted the youth to love
with the three languages of your mind, heart and hands. I took it to
mean that it is not enough that we believe; we need to take steps of
action. In our country, he was “walking his talk” and taking giant papal
strides to demonstrate it. He was here to comfort those afflicted by
Typhoon Yolanda. Like Jesus, he came to feel what we feel. In spite of a
storm, he still went to Tacloban to be with the people of God — to pray
with them and comfort them personally.
Now that the Pope is gone, I will take on a priest-commentators advice on TV — to turn admiration to imitation.
I resolved then, and it’s driving my actions now, to be like Pope Francis, but more importantly to be like Jesus. Rolly España (rollyespana@homeliving.com.ph)
Reflection: “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
Lord, I pray for a strong resolve to conform to Your mind and do what You’ve commissioned me to do — to make disciples.
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, pray for us.
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