THE METAMORPHOSIS
By
Ernie D. Delfin
Pope Francis I: “A Man for Others Following
The Way of St. Francis of Assisi”
Like millions of
Catholics and Christians around the world,
I too was very excited and happy
with the unexpected election Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio Pontiff of Rome, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, the only pope who resigned during the last 600 years! The more
revelations, disclosures or
testimonials about the life of Pope Francis I: what he has done, like riding public transportation, cooking his own meals and even opting to live
in a small apartment instead of the elegant Bishop’s residence in Argentina,
the more I am amazed and the more I admire the man. His simple and humble way of life will undoubtedly
influence and motivate many people to
follow his Spartan or Franciscan-like way of
life. I believe as I continue to pray that he will be a great
Pope who can initiate a lot of needed
changes in our 2000 year- old Roman Catholic Church for the betterment of all
Christians, especially the poor and the powerless of our society, particularly in the area of
Social Justice, Peace and Creation.
Although I was not a graduate of any Jesuit institution (like the Ateneo) as I was a product of the
Dominicans (Letran in Manila) after a
Catholic high school that was run and managed by the Franciscans, I have a
great admiration for the Jesuits as they
are widely known for their mantra “Man for Others” (akin to our Rotary’s
“Service Above Self”) and passion for their
work and advocacy in the Social Justice arena.
I believe they are more vocal, more progressive and more proactive in
working for the enhancement of the lives of the oppressed and exploited. A Jesuit trained and educated alumnus, the
Philippines national hero, Jose Protacio
Mercado Rizal, exemplified the Jesuit philosophy. Many Jesuits, starting from its founder St.
Ignatius of Loyola, worked tirelessly
without seeking human accolades nor seeking power or fame in the world unlike
many secular leaders, who become worldly
beneficiaries of government leaders even
to the extent of condoning graft and corruption practices of these elected
political leaders. It is
indeed a sad editorial but it is a
reality in our world today and yesterday.
It is in this perspective that makes Pope
Francis, a Jesuit trained and educated person,
an exemplary and extraordinary
unique leader to lead the over 1.2 billion members of the Catholic Church that
has in the last many decades been afflicted with many problems like the
exclusion of progressive nuns from the church, alleged financial improprieties in the
Vatican, the sexual abuses perpetuated by pedophile priests and the documented
cover-ups by their superiors. Many
Catholics, like me, are prayerfully hopeful that Pope Francis’ ways will resonate
to his flock and provide the needed
catalyst for change within the Church, the emanating from the Papal throne in
the Vatican. The Jesuits have been known as the rebels
within the Catholic Church and as such, it is conceivable that Pope Francis
might institute some revolutionary reforms in the governance of the Vatican
away from the grandeur of Rome and away from materialism to his simpler ways of
life.
To add more luster in Pope
Francis’ impressive background, he has
also chosen the name Francis, the first pope to do so with his obvious love and affinity to St. Francis,
an extraordinary man who chose to be with the poor,the lepers and outcast of Assisi, against the
wishes of his wealthy merchant father who disinherited him. Despite that he renounced his certain
inheritance and that he practically owned nothing during his lifetime, St. Francis, the unassuming little man of Assisi
was conspicuously very happy and
contented being with the poor, the
hungry, the sun, the moon, the birds and
animals whom he considered all of them as
his own brothers and sisters as they are all created by the same God. His
genuine life of humility, simplicity and profound love for Christ attracted
many, both wealthy and poor citizens of Italy that soon expanded to all
continents especially after his death.
He was after all the “unwilling” founder of the Franciscans, including
St. Claire who was instrumental in the entry
of thousands of women into the
Franciscan philosophy and way of life.
Due to his great love for Christ, he was fearless and against the advices of
those who cared for his safety, he ventured to travel to Bethlehem where non
Christians, his brother Muslims, were
in control who can who can go inside the
city, especially during Francis’
lifetime. Having read several books about this great saint,
and having the rare opportunity, with my
wife last year, to visit St. Francis’
birthplace in Assisi, Italy, where he rebuilt a very old church in ruins, I am in awe about St. Francis’ simplicity and humility, especially his works for the poor and lepers and his
renunciation of worldly power and
fame.
It is for the above-mentioned reasons that as
a Catholic since birth years who has also witnessed the awesome power and influence of the Pontiff of
Rome, I am genuinely and pleasantly excited that the Pope has chosen to be the first pope named after St.
Francis. He was also the first pope
elected from the Americas and Southern Hemisphere. To the Franciscans and all who admire and love the Franciscans, the name Francis means a
great deal. I pray that it will be the
precursor of many positive changes in our secular world, especially within the
Catholic Church that often built magnificent Cathedrals but within minutes or a dozen blocks away,
hundreds if not thousand homeless people live in the streets! (For example, if
you are in Los Angeles, where the controversial Cardinal Mahoney was the CEO of
the Archdiocese of LA, go visit the Cathedral and then drive a mile or two east
of that expensive magnificent structure building, and see the profound contrast of the
Archbishop palace and old shopping carts where homeless people put their entire
worldly possessions!
* * * *
Furthermore,
the more we read about Pope Francis, we learn that he is also an
advocate for the preservation of God’s
CREATION, (environment and ecology). In his inaugural homily, I read that the new pope mentioned “creation” and “environment”
interchangeably no less than l4 times, as God’s gifts! It is noteworthy that he was installed as
Pope on March 19th, the feast of St. Joseph who was the protector of
the family, and consequently the church. Like St. Joseph, Pope Francis in his humble ways has also accepted
God’s plan to be the new Pope, a very
important role given to him by God, even without seeking it.
Earth activists, environmentalists and all
people in all religions whose passions
lie in the preservation of forests, the oceans and endangered species now have
a very powerful ally and advocate in the Papal Seat that oversee over 1.2
billion Catholics in the world! The
initial official acts of Pope Francis are trend setting, walking through the crowds, kissing or
hugging young children and celebrating mass where other popes considered as
“inappropriate” for their revered position as Pope.
What I have read about
Pope Francis and the few things that he
has done so far since his election as Pope
has mysteriously germinated in me
a secret wish and desire to see and meet him one day before he die or before my
own death. Although it is just a fantasy
to put that wish in my Bucket List now, I know and believe that if God wills it to
happen, it will come to me as a gift, in His time. For God is good, merciful and awesome, and in
control ALL the time!
Happy Easter Week
everyone!
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The Metamorphosis’ Food For Thought this week:
To every thing there is a
season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3
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