A good election
Someone said before the conclave in jest that if a Korean cardinal will be elected Pope, then we will have a K-Pope!?
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“Habemus papam!” Praise God. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and awe at how the Holy Spirit works, and how the will of God is manifested through mortals like us. Today, we proclaim again “Yes” to God’s will; God’s way; God’s time!
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In today’s Gospel (John 10: 27-30), the Lord tells us: “My sheep hear My voice. I know them and they follow Me.” Amidst the noise of this world, sometimes, the Lord’s voice is not heard or followed, but we are assured that His words forever stand, and His truth will never be defeated by worldly lies. May we be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
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The “white smoke” that comes out from the Sistine Chapel chimney is the sign that a pope has been elected. Why white? To signify that the election has been done according to God’s will, in earnest prayer, and with grit and conscience. As long as we continue to listen and discern God’s word, and as long as we follow His will, not our will, then we will have true peace and unity.
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Speaking of elections, we pray that the election of our political leaders tomorrow will be clean and honest. Come, Holy Spirit! Someone said that the whole Philippines will be covered with black smoke, why? Many of those elected, won because of money, manipulation, intimidation, violence, and cheating. Sana, we can offer from the Philippines a “white smoke” that is pleasing to God, after every election.
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Happy Mother’s Day! Remembering with gratitude today our mothers, and all mothers. Nothing and no one can take the place of a mother’s love. Mothers continue to care, to love, and to sacrifice no matter what, no matter when, no matter how. Mabuhay po kayo, mga Nanay!
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We remember and pray for our motherland, so blessed with good-hearted people, yet so abused by her prodigal sons and daughters disguised as public servants. “He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away” (Luke 1: 46-55). May goodness triumph over evil in our country, someday, soon!
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We call on Mama Mary, our mother to help us. May our Lady of Fatima (May 13) continue to intercede for us, for peace in our land and in our world.
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We who follow the Lord must keep on praying: Lord, help me to be more simple and less sinful. Our other prayer is: Lord, help me to go slow, to stay low. Often, those who are in haste, and those who become proud, have their personal agenda and God’s agenda interchanged, or mixed.
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The election of our new Pope brings us great joy, and great lessons as well. We are small, and we are all just passing. Our days are numbered, and our plans are limited. May we learn to be humble and continue to be amazed and awed by God’s profound mystery and unending mercy. Yes Lord, Your will, Your way, Your time. Amen.
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Pope Leo XIV, had this to say about what a bishop is and should be: “The bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather, called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them, to suffer with them, and to look for ways to better live the Gospel message in the midst of his people.”
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Think about this: “People will trust you for your honesty, not for your majesty; people will love you for your affection, not for your perfection; people will always support you for your humility and kindness; people will remember you for how you made them feel important.”
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As we thank God for our new pope, let us not forget to pray for him continuously, for he needs all the prayers he can get, so that he will be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us all. Amen.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, please help us to have good elections in our land. Amen.
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