“Parating na si Pope Francis!”, nagising ako mula sa mahimbing na pagtulog dahil sa balitang ‘to at pagtingin ko sa TV, palapag na nga ang eroplano kung saan nakasakay ang tao na matagal na hinihintay ng bawat nananampalatayang Pilipino.
Malaking paghahanda ang ginawa ng Pilipinas. Pagdating sa pagsalubong, lugar na dadaanan at pupuntahan, seguridad, kaayusan, mga bagay na ibibigay, sasakyan at lalo na ang presentasyon.
Nakakaantig yung pagngiti nya nung dumungaw siya sa bintana ng eroplano. At paglabas nya sa pinto, makikita mo yung gaan, saya at liwanag sa mukha nya. Mas lumalim pa nung lumapit na sya sa mga tao, nakipagusap at nakipagkamay hanggang sa nilibot nya ang ilang lugar sa Metro Manila para makita ang mga Pilipino na naghihintay sa kanya.
That humble life and face. He is such a real servant of the Lord. Ang dami na nyang nagawa at ang laki ng puso nya para sa mga tao sa mundong ‘to, mga bagay na kung titignan yung buhay natin, medyo malayo pa kung sa ano na yung naabot nya. But at the end of this amazement, I found one thing in common between me or all of us and Pope Francis:
Jesus lived in this world and died for me and you and Jesus also lived in this world and died for the Pope. Kaya nasabe nya bilang paalala sa bawat Pilipino na “Focus on Jesus.”
Funny thing na habang pinapanood mo ang balitang ‘to, Si Jesus ang nasa isip mo. Naalala ko yung nangyari nung dumating din Sya sa Jerusalem, hindi sakay ng eroplano o sasakyan ngunit ng isang donkey.
The disciples brought the donkey and the colt and place their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road while others cut branches from the tress and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:7-11
The people prepared because they know there is a promise. And when they received and experienced the promise, it led them to praise!
Nang malaman ng buong Pilipinas na darating si Pope Francis sa bansa, we prepared. We wanna let him experience all the best. But when it comes to Jesus, it’s not about the physical preparation but a spiritual preparation. The one that God wants and seeks.
Are our lives ready for the coming of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Are our hearts tuned in to Him and already received his gift of salvation? Are our everyday lives just devoted and committed to the responsibility and calling He has given to us? Sold out to and for Him? When He looks in the deepest part of our hearts, makikita kaya Nya na Sya talaga yung mahal natin?
Questions that really bothered and checked my heart.
So then, let us not be like others who are asleep but let us be awake and sober… Since we belong to the day, let us sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
2 Thessalonians 5:6,8-10
“Wag nyo kong gagayahin na parating na si Pope, tulog pa ko.” Haha!
We prepared that way and worth it yung preparation na yan because Jesus has given us a…
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms, if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
John 14:1-4
Sweet no? Bago pa tayo magprepare, Siya may pnrepare na rin para sa atin: A place and a life with Him.
Sa totoo lang, pinagpawisan yung mata ko nung lumapit na si Pope Francis sa dalawang bata na pinili para sumalubong sa kanya at bigyan siya ng bulaklak. Hinalikan at niyakap sila ng Pope nang nakangiti at magaan & sincere ang mukha. That moment was just so personal!
And ganun din si Jesus sa atin, real, personal and intimate!
They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger, never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them nor any scorching heat.
For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelations 7:15-17; 21:4
Eyes to eyes. Face to face. Heart to heart. Sa araw na yun, yung luha na lang siguro na meron ako, tears of joy! :”)
<Insert music: Mercy Me – I Can Only Imagine> haha!
“No sin means no thieves, divorce, heartbreak and no boredom. You won’t be bored in heaven because you won’t be the same you in heaven. You will be you at your best forever.
He restores, recovers, renews. Expect and look for him to do it again-to renew and reclaim every square inch of what is rightfully his. ” (1)
Hindi lang, “edi wow.” Sobrang Wow!!!
Yung mga tao sobrang excited sa pagdating ni Pope Francis kasi para sa kanila, mabibigyan sila ng pag-asa, pagmamahal at kasiyahan sa gitna ng mga problema sa buhay. Na nalaman nila na may someone who really cares for them.
But you know what, anuman yung naiibigay ni Pope Francis sa tao, kinailangan at natanggap nya rin yun mula kay Jesus. He received and eagerly waits for that promise.
“As are you. Jesus is preparing for you a place. A perfect place of perfected people overseen by our perfect Lord. And at the right time he will come and take you home.” (1)
He chose you. You are the apple of his eye and one day He is coming back for you. He will sweep us off our feet and carry us home and we will live happily ever after – forever!
Makikita mo na masaya ang lahat sa pagdating ni Pope Francis. May sumasayaw, humahalik sa kamay nya at niyayakap sya. Sumisigaw ng “Pope Francis!” o “I love you Pope Francis” kapag dumaan na yung sinasakyan niya. Winawagayway pa yung mga panyo, hinanda yung mga cellphone at camera.
Sabi nila, mula siya sa third-world country kaya malapit siya sa mga taong mahihirap at nangangailangan. At makikita mo nga yun sa buhay nya, hindi sya takot makisalamuha sa iba’t-ibang tao anuman yung estado nito sa buhay.
But Jesus? He has a home. A throne. A power. Pero iniwan Nya yun lahat para maranasan yung mga nararanasan din natin sa mundong ‘to. A God who became human. A King who became a baby. A Lord who became a carpenter. He did everything even death on the Cross to prove that there is Someone who loves and cares for us and there is Someone who is the source of our peace, joy, hope and everything we need in life.
Shout. Dance. Sing. Jesus is worthy of all our praises.
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
Revelations 5:12
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Revelations 4:11
When Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon. (Rev. 22:20)” And all God’s people will sing and shout, “So when You say You’re coming for me. You will come!” (Victory Worship – Jesus My Savior)
Make a way for the King!
I believe, Pope Francis received the warmest welcome and honor he deserves.
But we may never also forget to give Jesus the glory and honor He also deserves! Everyday.
Notes:
1. Chapter 11: What Makes Heaven Heavenly, 3:16 by Max Lucado
HE IS GREATER THAN I 