A SOCIAL COMMENTARY:
I am absolutely blessed and delighted to witness our country's adulation of Pope Francis I. He is a Man of God and a Man of the People to say the least. And not since Yolanda did I see our country come together for a common cause. It's always a good thing when a nation becomes united. Anything that can spur that is a welcome thought.
Now let me turn to a catechismal overture. Throughout history, God has raised up revival leaders. And if what I'm seeing is true to my personal definition, then I consider the Papal visit as a revival.
According to a certificate course that I'm taking, a revival is an individual and corporate reconnecting to God in a pronounced way. I've been closely following this momentous occassion for the past few days. Never in recent memory have I seen this sweeping fervor of the people in acknowledging their faith publicly. I know, it's a given. We are a predominantly Christian nation, mostly Catholic by denomination. But people from all over the country has been flocking over to where the Pope is. The only time this happens is when Henry Sy and co. announces a nationwide sale.
As for his message, Pope Francis has been consistent: Love God and love one another. If we're going to summarize everything he's been preaching in one sentence, that's it. And that's the point. That's why he came here.
I do certainly hope (and pray) that the multitudes that are experiencing a revivial is not only experiencing a reconnection to the institution of the church, but also to be revived toward God and to one another.
His visit here came at a very opportune time. Last year, we have witnessed a shake-up on the foundational level of our political landscape. High-profile politicians were put to jail, giant whistles have been blown. Regardless of motive and circumstance, we have to understand that something big is going to unfold in the near future. Something is taking place and being carried over, and I believe that it's our nation's time for glory.
In a year, we will be changing the landscape of our nation by electing officials on the national seats once again. Let's use this as a momentum builder to sustain us until 2016. Let's put this to good use and not just something that we put over stamps, and commemorative coins. Let's bank on this, on us, to make good on what our words and actions suggest, to improve our nation and really Love God and Love one another.