Pope Francis tells the community at the Pontifical Philippine College in Rome that they should “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 commemorated the five hundredth anniversary of the evangelization of the Philippines and the celebration of the first Holy Mass, which took place on Easter Sunday, March 31. of 1561.
Just a week after the commemoration, the pope met Monday with priests, religious and lay people at the Pontifical Philippine College in Rome on the occasion of the 60th anniversary.th anniversary of the founding of the College.
Addressing the congregants at the Vatican, he shared with them some reflections on time, noting that time itself is a gift from God “to be used responsibly to express our gratitude to Him, to do good works, and to look to the future with hope.”
Looking back at history
Starting with the past, Pope Francis stressed that it was an opportunity “Browse our ‘family album,’ remember where we came from and the faith experiences and gospel testimonies that have made us who we are today.”
For priests, he added, “we think especially of the moment we discovered our vocation, the moment we said our first ‘yes’ to God’s call and the day of our ordination.”
“Whenever you feel tired and discouraged,” the Pope advised, “look back on your history, not to find refuge in an idealized past, but to regain the impetus and passion of your ‘first love.’
A prophetic look
“If the past can help us become more aware of the firmness of our faith and vocation,” he noted, “the future it broadens our horizons and shows us hope ”.
Still, the Pope warned that “looking to the future should avoid the temptation to take refuge in the future and not face the present serenely.”
“Do not be eternal procrastinators, “ he stressed. “Don’t experience constant ‘apnea’, just tolerating the present and waiting for it to happen.”
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 own vocation to make them a reality, acting as a docile instrument in the hands of God.”
A decisive present
Returning to present when 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 was important to “know the past, prepare for the future and fully experience the present as an opportunity for formation and growth in holiness.”