My Response to Pope Francis' Invitation of Renewal.

Frt. Jose Carlos Rapadas, SVD

The challenge of the exemplary life of Pope Francis can be found in many facets of how I am leading my own vocation to the Priesthood. His message to Seminarians in Sardinia is one worth quoting. “I encourage you, to prepare yourselves now to become priests of the people and to the people, not dominators but servants of the flock entrusted to you.” It is perhaps safe to say that simplicity and humility are his messages, and the very manner on which he is leading his life, his Papacy, his legacy, and the Church under his watch. This I believe is the starting point of the challenge of the message of Pope Francis, and from it all other points follow.

I am greatly motivated to reevaluate my perspective of Priesthood, and thus of my vocation. Having raised in a setting where the priesthood is associated with fame, affluence and powers that be, I see priesthood according to externalities and not according to the configurations to Jesus Christ. I was raised in the Minor Seminary knowing and living the mentality that as a seminarian, the externalities matter. I must have good clothes, latest gadgets and even spend for things I can brag; to name a few. I lived with the conviction that in order to be respected by others, I should appear modestly. But the distinction has become bleak.

His love for the flock which he puts first inspires me because without the flock, and without the People of God, priesthood is just ceremonial and nothing else. Hence, my vocation to the priesthood must be oriented towards the needs of the Pilgrim People of God; and therefore identify myself as pilgrim among the pilgrims, and a sheep among the herds of sheep guided by Jesus Christ, the Shepherd. I believe that in these herds, the faces of the poor and weak are the faces of the Shepherd and so be more available to them more.

In order to realize this vision of Pope Francis, and for my response to be genuine, I must acknowledge that I am a sinner; that I falter to be who I am ought to be, that I have defects as a Seminarian, and from there invoke the Saving love and mercy of Christ. From my weakness, I shall draw power and humility at the same time, and then strive to be configured to him. I am challenged to be minimal yet substantial, to be patient and respectful of processes, and to be a formand all my life, especially after I ever get ordained as a priest.

The Papacy of Pope Francis is indeed a gift to the Church, and to me. His pontificate is an invitation and an opportunity for reflection on my vocation and myself. It is precisely a wake up call to see the world and the church anew; a fresh start at that where shifts are introduced and are taken in the spirit of the message of Christ. This too, is a good point to reflect upon the life of Pope Francis. He is a catalyst for change who does not only inspire change but initiates it, and lives the change he wishes to see in the Church.

How often have I ever introduced a drastic change, and really see it bear fruit? Pope Francis is teaching me to be the change I want to see in the world. He himself exemplifies this cliché, and he will certainly leave a mark, a mark that is unique and widely appreciated down to history. Only few will and can take that road of being a witness, but Pope Francis guides me by the hand; as if showing me that reforms are possible if we really want it, and especially if the Lord wants it. Francis never preached himself. He preached Jesus Christ and his message in a clear image and loud voice of his example and his very person. A person of genuine Christian service, of prayer, and of sincerity and action.