Have A Grateful Heart

I have followed Pope Francis’ trip to the United States via  Vatican Radio and CNA (Catholic News Agency). I am grateful for his inspiring words. Yes, I am grateful too for the many blessings. Here’s a partial text  of Pope Francis’s address during Vespers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, a beautiful message that truly inspires and touches the heart:

Joy springs from a grateful heart. Truly, we have received much, so many graces, so many blessings, and we rejoice in this. It will do us good to think back on our lives with the grace of remembrance.

Remembrance of when we were first called, remembrance of the road travelled, remembrance of graces received… and, above all, remembrance of our encounter with Jesus Christ so often along the way.

Remembrance of the amazement which our encounter with Jesus Christ awakens in our hearts. To seek the grace of remembrance so as to grow in the spirit of gratitude. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves: are we good at counting our blessings?

 

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Inspired

Things are as they were six days ago –

the unopened book,

muddled thoughts that keep intruding,

lovely words that need to be said.

My mind is full of lessons

I have yet to digest

I have yet to write about

I am inspired

and the euphoria hasn’t waned yet.

his words touched my soul.

And I am thankful.

The memories

make me smile

and they make me laugh.

They feed my mind

with unspoken words.

that will remain

forever in my heart.

 

 

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The Arch Of The Centuries

Photo credit: CBCP. Inset is mine.

I love this picture of Pope Francis in front of the iconic Arch of  the Centuries at the UST campus. Every year, freshmen take the traditional “Freshmen Welcome Walk” by passing through the Arch of the Centuries as a symbol of ‘becoming Thomasians’ because the same Arch was the doorway of the University when it was still in Intramuros. This is called the ‘Rite of Passage’. When they graduate, they walk through the same Arch facing Espana Blvd. It is a “symbolic act of their “readiness to face the challenges of professional life and fulfill the mission of serving the Church, the nation and the family as future Thomasian professionals.”

 

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