POPE'S EFFECT

And now it ends. Before Pope Francis left the country, he reminded us Filipinos to be compassionate at all times. I hope that, that message will really penetrate into our hearts. During his first mass and homily at the Manila Cathedral his introduction was "Do you love me?" All who gathered around him and even people outside the Church responded, "YES" and he was laughing. That introduction really connotes something. It is like when Jesus was asking for Peter in three times, “Peter, do you love me?” This question can only be answered if we are compassionate. By answering ‘YES’ does not mean true because sometimes we are doubtful. We only love when we are also loved by others. We can only love when there is in return, because we love the term reciprocity, it is give and take love. It is not compassion by the way. The true compassion is when we love unconditionally. Pope Francis did not say, “Love one another” but rather, “Be compassionate” because it is with compassion that we can love truly. I hope that the happiness we experienced when the Pope was here, will never end tomorrow, because if it ends tomorrow, then our joy is solely on Pope’s appearance not in Christ who is the center of his visit. Before Pope arrives in our country, he reminded us by not focusing on him, but on Christ.