02/01/2020
"Many times, we lose our patience; me too. I apologize for yesterday's bad example."
This was the statement released by Pope Francis in a departure from his prepared remarks for the Angelus prayer on 1 January 2020. He apologized for losing his patience with a woman who yanked his arm in St. Peter's Square on New Year's Eve. Visibly upset, he slapped the woman's hand and walked away in frustration.
In line with the news, allow us to raise two points:
First of all, mga bok at 'ter, Pope Francis is not a god. He is just like any of us: simply human. He is a leader not because he is perfect. He has a lot of flaws, too. Despite these defects, he was chosen in accordance to God's Holy Will to carry out his sacred ministry. But given these frailties, it is also hard for him, and other religious persons who strive to be holy, to be like others, among others, and be others to them. It is hard to be nothing to themselves in order to be everything to others. It is difficult for them to carry others but never be carried by anyone. Given these hurdles, they need understanding Christians to help them in their holy mission.
Second, we thank you, Pope Francis, for being a good example of humility to us. It takes a righteous man and a gracious God to own up to his shortcomings. Saying sorry whenever you made a mistake does not make you a lesser person. It can be gut-wrenching for you to look squarely in the eye and say "I am sorry." But the moment you uttered those words, you sent a powerful and reverberating message to the world. It showed how you deeply care, honor and respect the people entrusted to you. It revealed how true leadership can be done.
