The whole Philippines stopped for the entire 5 days that the Pope was in the Philippines. Everyone was eager to hear what he would say as he met with different audience. He celebrated mass for the clergy. He spoke to the nation's political leaders in Malacanang, met with families at the MOA Arena, and even flew into Tacloban in the middle of a signal #2 storm just to be with the victims of the typhoon Yolanda along with many other pilgrims from all over the country. He listened to the cries of the youth at UST and met with religious leaders from other faiths, and celebrated mass before 6 to 7 million people. Even the broadcast networks were united for five days just for him.
What changes do you hope for in the lives of the people who watched and listened to him?
What changes do you pray for in yourself?
When the Pope came to the Philippines, we saw how the people became united. It would be so good to see this kind of attitude becomes part of the Filipino people not just during the pope's visit but also as people continue to live their life now that he went back to Vatican; that people would learn to humble themselves, (no superior and inferior) with the willingness to help one another. If only this would happen then there would be peace and understanding which most of the people desires.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to myself also, i think what i want to change is to have an attitude of willing to care for other people (whether i like them or not) and to have a sympathetic attitude.
It is really true that we need to learn to care for other people, whether a friend, an acquaintance or even an enemy..this is also what I need to learn to myself, showing goodness even to the people whom I do not know. Pope Francis as I what I saw indeed really practiced this kind of attitude
DeleteAmen shing. The way we live our lives really matters. Let us live a life pleasing to God and pray for one another. Together, we can make a difference in this darkened world.
DeleteBefore the papal visit to the Philippines I was alredy aware how these hige number of poeple prepared themselves for the coming og their santo papa. I awkward and upset watching those news that covered the detailed idea about the coming of pope Fracis. Then I started judging him and those people who worship and adored him so much. I prayed to the Lord to clear my heart so that I could not judge others even condemn. I believe that even those people are under God's grace that only God can tell where their destination are. I only prayed and asked God to change their hearts and their " paghanga" to their pope. Time will come that they'll realize that what thiet doing is not pleasing the True Living God. I really prayed that these people who devout themselves to their false belief will repent and ask for forgiveness to God. Every Pilipino will unite as one family preparing for the coming of the true "Holy One" the Lord Jesus who can truly heal their land. This are my prayers for myself and for those people.
ReplyDeleteyeah it's true that we have the tendency always to judge others. however, we know for sure the theology behind the pope's action which are not biblical, yet, instead of criticizing them we can use them rather as a bridge to share the gospel to catholics who are not yet in faith to Jesus.
DeleteThe Pope's visit really shows how the Filipinos are devoted to what they believe in (at least for the catholics)..as the Pope showed humility, may the people, those almost 7000000 people will also have a changes in their lives and also practice humility as what the Pope showed. His teachings about moral is also applicable and is very good to follow, mostly about social injustices, not just for the politicians but also to all Filipino citizens...
ReplyDeleteI also saw how humble this Pope is, as God's servant I should also show humbleness for God's glory...
Indeed humility is what we all need to learn. Most of us if not all always think of ourselves as superior than the other without realizing tht we are just equal in the sight of God.
Deleteyeah. sometimes it is the most difficult attitude we can find of those people in the possession yet humility is the main asset to gain the people's heart and respect.
DeleteYes, the pope had done things which are not usual from the previous popes, yet for me it’s no common thing. Other popes right from the history of the church has also done those. But one thing I see that’s different from this pope is the act of humility through actions. He has lived his words, thus I hope that those people who watched and listened to him will change the way they live. I hope that this is a way that they maybe soft enough to receive the gospel knowing that they already have background about God especially Jesus Christ compared to those who are buddist, or atheist people. Also that they maybe people who love others and with humble heart to care for others, people who are not favour or injustices.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I hope that I maybe more dedicated to serve Jesus. If other people can do humility in such a way that they proclaim God, maybe much more to me who knows the truth and accepted the truth. Yet, it’s all only done through God-given strength.
Yes plax. i really hope and pray that we who know the truth will have more passion and humility in serving God and people. That we will have more the right motives in doing His ministry. That people will be able to feel more the presence and love of God to them through us.
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ReplyDeleteWe all know in the history of the Popes as we study church history. They have many failures in leading People, sometimes they used their power to oppressed someone. and lead people in wrong direction, I don't want to be bias here but this is the truth. the Catholic members who don't really know the truth will look the Pope as holy and sinless even looked at the Pope as god. i am hoping that the people will look at the Pope's good side not the negative side. we cannot judge someone but we are human beings and we are corrupted by sin. All of us is sinners and we should not act as if we are sinless. i hope that people will realized that Pope is just human like us who follow Christ. but i like the way Pope Francis act and the way he handle things.I should follow Christ as he is doing, showing love and passion for the needy. But the best example to be follow is our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteYou got it right Brother. As a follower of Jesus Christ, we ought to be Christ-liked in every aspect of life. It's good to know that the Pope encourage the Catholics to live a good life and to do good to others.
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ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I admire the devotion and the fanaticism of the Roman Catholic Filipinos for their Pope but somehow, it points the wrong way. The pope has become their hope which is contrary to what the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the blessed hope (Titus 2:13). I hope that they would see beyond the vile of religiosity and tradition, the encompassing love and grace of God for them. For myself, I pray for more love and dedication in serving God.
ReplyDeleteits my first time to witness how Roman Catholic admire the papa especially pope Francis. according to the people he is the pope of many firsts; such as cool pope,super star and many others. hope was rise in many people of the world, and this pope was the center of their hope that suppose to Jesus. I'm hoping that people would realize that it is not all about pope Francis. people would really see the truth because francis himself said that Jesus should be the center not him. i pray that the influence of Pope francis as different pope would open peoples heart to the love of God to us and that Jesus is our only hope. also, i pray for a heart that always willing to be a channel of blessing to the unbelievers.
ReplyDeleteYes i agree with you jing.. We have to pray more for them for they really need the Lord. We should be active also in sharing the good news to others.
DeleteIt is really heart-breaking to see thousands of people who are so devoted to Pope Francis. Yes, the life of the Pope is quite good as many people testified, but it leads them to the wrong direction. My prayer is that those people will come to know the truth and their hearts and minds will be opened to what is the right thing and they will truly encounter God in their lives and they can also have a personal relationship with Him. For me, I have to be more loving, compassionate for those who are still lost and grab every opportunity to share the Gospel to others. I have to be more sincere in serving God and in reaching out the lost.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, people should know the truth and be unveil from the blindness they have. Its a good prayer for the people. It's also a good prayer to be full of love and be filled with fire to share God word.
DeleteYes, Soi....that what I also pray for opportunities to share my kindness to others so I can share God's salvation and love towards less knowledge about him. Actually I am envy with the pope's position because many sympathize him that's a big opportunity. I pray that God will give me wisdom how to use my position as a teacher....that's what's really convicting me today as a coming graduate. How can I make difference with my position.
DeleteI would be happy if the people who listened and watched him will changed. based on my observation, the last visit of pope here in the Philippines did not change people. I think it did not change the ways of the people. It did not even change the corrupt ways and system of the church. But for the sake of answering this forum, what I am hoping is that we as a Christian who listen and watch the pope, will change the way we view the roman Catholic. I hope we will be more compassionate to reach them out since they are now open in discussing the bible. I hope we will eager to share to them the love of God. To those Catholics who watch and listen the pope, i hope they will be change in their way of Life. I hope they will obey what the bible says rather than what tradition and other religious sect does. I am hoping also that their personal lives will be change. I am hoping that they will trust more God than their selves. I hope that they will slowly take out their bad behavior and change it to Christ like attitude.
ReplyDeleteYes brother nolz...i agree that PopeFrancis inspired those devoted roman catholics, but in contrary they did not even change....and i thnk Pope or those Christian Leaders can change people but only our Lord Jesus Christ..
DeleteOne writer said, "Change is the only constant in this world", hopefully that the Filipinos would change for good not the other way around. Change in the things for the betterment of their lives and for everyone in the country. So help us God.
DeleteEventhough we know how Pope came into existence and how they lied to to many people, Pope Francis' motives in coming here in Philippines are really good.What he did here in Philippines is really amazing and inspiring. He was able to comfort the Filipinos and encourage them to go on in their lives eventhough there are lots of problems. He was able to rebuke the government leaders in their wrong attitude towards the money of the country. He was able to remind the church leaders about their vows when they decided to serve God and people. He was able to preached the Word of God to millions of people and commanded them to focus unto God and not to him.So i hope that the Filipinos who watched and heard this instuctions of Pope would lead them to repentance. That they would stop their wrong doings. That they would be able to have true faith in Jesus Christ and stop their devotion to saints. That they would be able to understand the difference of being religious and being a Christian. His passion in serving God really encourages me so i pray that as God's servant also, i would have that kind of passion until the end of my life here on earth . That i would have the humbleness to serve the poor and the courage to go in dangerous places just to show the love of Jesus Christ.
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ReplyDeleteFor the lives of the people who watched and listened to the pope, I hope and pray that their eyes and minds would be opened so that they can understand what the words of the pope mean really mean. The reaction of the people is common, why? It is just like us Christians especially after camps or seminars or training that we are so hot and passionate in sharing what we experienced or witnessing to others about Jesus Christ but after a few months, the flame dies. Nevertheless, God is powerful and all-knowing and for sure that those words uttered by the pope has impacted many peoples lives including me. Praying that many people would come to know and accept the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts and totally surrender their lives to Him, not just by believing alone. So happy to hear when the pope said that the focus of people should be on Jesus Christ, not him.
ReplyDeleteI really pray that my life would be a blessing to others with the help of God.
I was really hoping for revival. I don't know how God would intervene in such situation but I felt like I don't want to judge because I believe that there would be a good result somehow. I really prayed that the appearance of the pope and his message would be a good stimulus for those who are asleep from believing God's existence. I am not telling about a more detailed doctrine of God's existence but I hoped that people, especially those who got tired of believing that there is God, would ask themselves again and find some answers, and there I believe in God's perfect time he'll get an answer. I also hope to see people will be motivated of doing good works and eventually would ask why doing such things. I admit, even though I don't really know how the pope know himself before Christ, I admire his eagerness to show what really a pope or an administer aught to do "to serve and not to be served" that most of the people didn't expect him to do. Thus, in result he gain the people's trust. He made use of his position as an advantage to motivate people what really good works and humility have to do in their lives. I pray that he'll continue his courage and would have many opportunities to re communicate who really is the reason why we do good works is Jesus. Not that we need to do such, or those are good for everyone' s benefit or that we may have peace--but these things will follow because we want to magnify Jesus first of all. I am also excited that someday I would hear him talking about the true salvation, healing and mending, and joy in Jesus not in piety, devotion to any pope or images.
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