Pope Francis

Put on Christ 

The Pope preaches against materialism. 

 “Certainly, possessions, money, and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want to have more, never satisfied. ‘Put on Christ’ in your life, place your trust in him, and you will never be disappointed!”

“For this reason, I want to insist with you today: ‘Put on Christ!’ in your life, and you will find a friend in whom you can always trust; ‘put on Christ’ and you will see the wings of hope spreading and letting you journey with joy towards the future; ‘put on Christ’ and your life will be full of his love; it will be a fruitful life,” Francis said.

* To remember that less is more. To commit to prayer. 

Meet the poor 'in the flesh.'

“It is not enough to mediate this commitment through institutions, which obviously help because they have a multiplying effect, but that is not enough. They do not excuse us from our establishing personal contact with the needy. The sick must be cared for, even when we find them repulsive and repugnant. Those in prison must be visited.”

* To discern a means to reach the poor.

Make it a habit to 'ask the Lord.'

“Dear young people,” he says, “some of you may not yet know what you will do with your lives. Ask the Lord, and he will show you the way. The young Samuel kept hearing the voice of the Lord who was calling him, but he did not understand or know what to say, yet with the help of the priest Eli, in the end he answered: 'Speak, Lord, for I am listening' (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-10). You too can ask the Lord: What do you want me to do? What path am I to follow?”

*To be courageous and patient amidst uncertainty. To fully trust God that He has a plan for me.

Be happy.

“Sometimes these melancholy Christians' faces have more in common with pickled peppers than the joy of having a beautiful life,” Francis says in a homily. “Joy cannot be held at heel: it must be let go. Joy is a pilgrim virtue. It is a gift that walks, walks on the path of life, that walks with Jesus: preaching, proclaiming Jesus, proclaiming joy, lengthens and widens that path.”

Francis says, “The Christian sings with joy, and walks, and carries this joy."

This joy, he reminds us, should translate to love of neighbor.

*To let go of insecurities and fears, and experience peace and joy, which would translate to a genuine love and concern for meeting others needs.


Source: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/46933-new-year-resolutions-pope-francis-quotes