Pope Francis tells the community of the Pontifical Philippine College in Rome that they “must know the past, prepare for the future and fully experience the present as an opportunity for formation and growth in holiness”.
By Vatican News staff reporter
Last Sunday, in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the evangelization of the Philippines and the celebration of the first Holy Mass, which took place on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1561.
Just a week after this celebration, the Pope on Monday met with priests, religious and lay people from the Pontifical Philippine College in Rome, to mark the 60º anniversary of the foundation of the College.
Addressing the people gathered at the Vatican, he shared with them some reflections on Time, remembering that time itself is a gift from God “to be used responsibly to express our gratitude to him, to do good works and look to the future with hope”.
Looking back on history
Starting with the past, Pope Francis underlined that it was an opportunity “Leafing through our ‘family album’, to remember where we came from and the experiences of faith and testimonies of the Gospel that made us who we are today.”
For priests, he added, “we think especially when we discover our vocation, when we say our first ‘yes’ convinced of God’s call and on the day of our ordination.”
“Whenever you feel tired and discouraged,” advised the Pope, “look at your history, not to take refuge in an idealized past, but to recover the impetus and passion of your ‘first love’”.
A prophetic look
“If the past can help us to become more aware of the strength of our faith and vocation”, he observed, “the future broadens our horizons and teaches us hope. “
However, the Pope warned that “looking to the future must avoid the temptation to take refuge in the future and not face the present serenely”.
“Don’t be eternal procrastinators, “ he emphasized. “Don’t live in constant ‘apnea’, simply tolerating the present and waiting for it to pass.”
Pope Francis went on to say that looking at the future in a positive sense, it means having a “prophetic look”. It also means “seeing possibilities and working according to one’s vocation to realize them, acting as a docile instrument in the hands of God”.
A decisive gift
Returning to gift At the moment, the Pope stressed that “now is the time to be decisive” and to take advantage of pastoral experiences.
In conclusion, Pope Francis reiterated that it is important to “know the past, prepare for the future and fully experience the present as an opportunity for formation and growth in holiness”.