Posted on 01/01/2014 1:39:53 PM PST by NYer
Some inspiration to kick off 2014, from a Filipino writer who distills key teachings of the pope down to 10 resolutions that all of us should try to keep:
He preaches against gossip, reminds us to finish our meals, and even tells us not to fear marriage.
Described as the “world’s parish priest,” Pope Francis goes beyond abstract theology, and gives us advice we can use daily.
What lessons from him can we bring into 2014?
Rappler compiles 10 of the Pope’s most memorable quotes in the form of New Year’s resolutions. This is the Pope Francis list.
1. Don’t gossip.
It’s one of our hobbies. For Francis, it’s also one of the most evil activities.
The Catholic leader denounces gossip as “murder.”
He feels so strongly about it that in less than a year as pontiff, Francis has preached against gossip in at least 6 different instances. Read the following homilies by Francis as well as a recent speech:
- “Never speak poorly of others,” March 27
- “The temptation to gossip about others,” April 9
- “No gossip, no fear,” April 13
- “The threat of gossip,” September 2
- “From gossip to love of others,” September 13
- “Presentation of the Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia,” December 21
(READ: Be professional and don’t gossip, Pope tells Church officials)
He says when we gossip, we “are doing what Judas did,” and “begin to tear the other person to pieces.”
“Every time we judge our brother in our hearts or worse when we speak badly of them with others, we are murdering Christians,” Francis says. “There is no such thing as innocent slander.”
2. Finish your meals.
No leftovers, please.
Named after a 12th-century saint who lived in poverty, Francis slams a “culture of waste” that neglects the plight of the hungry. (READ: Pope: Wasting food is stealing from the poor)
Nearly 870 million people suffer from chronic malnutrition, says the Food and Agriculture Organization. (VISIT: #HungerProject)
The Pope says: “We should all remember… that throwing food away is like stealing from the tables of the poor, the hungry! I encourage everyone to reflect on the problem of thrown away and wasted food to identify ways and means that, by seriously addressing this issue, are a vehicle of solidarity and sharing with the needy.”
3. Make time for others.
Tending to 1.2 billion members, Francis seems too busy for anything else.
That is, until he calls up strangers. Or entertains a random biker. Or sends a handwritten letter to a Jesuit he has never met.
The Jesuit who got the letter, Fr James Martin, says Francis inspires him “to be more generous in my own life with my time.”
Martin says: “If the Pope can find time to be kind to others, if he can pause to say thank you, if he can take a moment make someone feel appreciated, then so can I. So can we.” (READ: Making time for others: the Pope’s way)
Those are just for starters. Read them all. Good stuff.
In the same way he denounces gossip, Francis condemns prejudice.
He reminds “intolerant” Catholics, for one, to respect atheists. “If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good.”
Ping!
New Year’s resolutions: The Pope Francis list
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/46933-new-year-resolutions-pope-francis-quotes
1. Don’t gossip.
2. Finish your meals.
3. Make time for others.
4. Choose the ‘more humble’ purchase.
5. Meet the poor ‘in the flesh.’
6. Stop judging others.
7. Befriend those who disagree.
8. Make commitments, such as marriage.
9. Make it a habit to ‘ask the Lord.’
10. Be happy.
I just wished he spoke about Repentance more...
All of our Good Works are like filthy rags to GOD Almighty if their is no faith and repentance..You will never please GOD without it...
Regarding #2. Finish your meals.
I never could understand, when I was a kid, of being told that if I didn’t “clean my plate,” i.e. eat all that was on my plate, “someone in China will die of starvation.”
I enjoyed reading these; excellent list! Gossip really does destroy, and makes one feel all filthy. Ick!
for instance, often the poor will think nothing of others working their whole lives, every week, year in and year out, and pay taxes, so they the "poor" can stay home and play video games and go to the casino....
the "poor" ain't what they used to be, at least not in this country....Brazil might be another story...
I want to tell the Pope that we already feel squeezed enough, and can't afford to help strangers because we help our children, our friends and neighbors, and extended family...
1. Fire that Vatican Translator!
A religion as big as ours should be able to translate what I write accurately. (I need to think about this before publication of this list. It is a good fallback to say, "bad translation".)
2. Gay Mafia at Vatican. Get this resolved... Hmmmm.
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Good grief.
How about:
11. Eat your vegetables?
Here is better advice: stay in the Word, meditate on Scripture day and night, and Ephesians 6:10-17.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
What about Christ?
I mean, he’s the Pope. Generalized expressions of Christian behavior are discussed by everyone and anyone. Shouldn’t he instead be focused on Christ specifically?
This could be a speech at the Elks Lodge.
That is the same theme we all were fed (pun intentional). Our ancestors dreamed of one day being able to purchase and store perishable food, especially those who resided in large cities. With no refrigeration, it was necessary to consume food or it would perish.
The pope's message on not wasting food is directed especially towards those societies where it is more plentiful, such as ours. A long while back, my husband and I were invited to Thanksgiving Day dinner at the home of his business associate. The house was filled with other associates and prime customers. The gentleman proudly showed off his double ovens, each one holding a 20+ lb turkey. At dinner, no one wanted to project an image of gluttony; hence they ate only small servings. After dinner, I jumped in and helped carry the leftover food into the kitchen. To my utter shock and dismay, I watched as the gentleman tossed two huge birds into the garbage. When he saw the expression on my face, he commented that he does not like leftovers. The image of those plump turkeys in a garbage pail, drove the message of waste, home. As you can see, I have never forgotten it.
Pope Francis makes an excellent point. While we cannot pack up the leftovers and ship them to China, we can certainly curtail our consumption to reduce waste. We are quite blessed not to be in a position of having to beg for food, as happened less than a century ago.
Faith AND Works — remember the book of James? Is it in your Bible?
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust, and not before the saints? [2] Know you not that the saints shall judge this world?" 1 cor 6:1-2
"Thus saith the Lord: Execute judgement and justice, and deliver him that is oppressed out of the hand of the oppressor: and afflict not the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, nor oppress them unjustly: and shed not innocent blood in this place." jer 22:3
" [24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge just judgment." John 7:24
What is hie doing?
Having Joel Osteen write his messages now?
The *poor* who get free food (EBT), HEAP (help with heating costs), free medical care, free cell phones, etc ad nauseum?
I'm giving them enough stuff through the extortion called taxes.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
How about???
1) Seek God.
2)Pray more.
3)Read the Bible more.
4)Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (have the mind of Christ)
5)Take responsibility for your own actions.
6)Be reconciled to those with whom you have some unresolved conflict.
7)Develop a thankful spirit
8)Aspire to higher moral character
9)Be an encouragement to others
10) Do everything without complaining or arguing
Believe first, then repent.
Just believe in God.
AMEN.
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