6 Lessons, 12 Quotes from Pope Francis which Filipinos

should always keep in mind

As a friend of mine said a while ago on Facebook, Since his arrival, how many times
has the Pope mentioned poverty, inequality and corruption? How many times has he
referred to the poor and the need to be with the poor? And how many will act on these
words long after he has left our shores?.
So, for everyone who was inspired by the Philippine papal visit, and seriously wants to
practice/live up to the teachings of Pope Francis, heres six lessons and 12 quotes which
can serve as guides:

1. Corruption is something everyone must fight against

I hope that this prophetic summons will challenge everyone, at all levels of society, to
reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make
concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the life
of the community. Pope Francis, Malacaang Speech, Jan. 16 2015

2. Protecting the environment requires more than just putting your garbage in the trash
can
A second key area where you are called to make a contribution is in showing concern
for the environment. This is not only because this country, more than many others, is
likely to be seriously affected by climate change Respect for the environment means
more than simply using cleaner products or recycling what we use. These are
important aspects, but not enough. Pope Francis, Undelivered Speech to the Youth
Encounter, Jan. 18 2015

3. Use your talents to serve the people and defend the poor

Bilang Kristiyanao, miyembro ng pamilya ng Diyos, tinatawag tayo upang hanapin

at paglingkuran ag lahat ng mga nangangailangan Pope Francis, on Twitter,
January 18 2015

This is the challenge that life offers you: to learn how to love. Not just to accumulate
information without knowing what to do with it What you think, you must feel and
put into effect. Your information comes down to your heart and you put it into
practice. Pope Francis, Speech to the Youth Encounter, January 18 2015
4. Theres no other way but to change society

Through sin, man has also destroyed the unity and beauty of our human family,
creating social structures which perpetuate poverty, ignorance and corruption.
Pope Francis, Homily for the Luneta Mass, January 18 2015

The Church in the Philippines is called to acknowledge and combat the causes of the
deeply rooted inequality and injustice which mar the face of Filipino society, plainly
contradicting the teaching of Christ Pope Francis, Homily for the Manila Cathedral
Mass, January 16 2015

It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and
indeed scandalous, social inequalities. Malacanang Speech

5. Collective action is the key

The Gospel calls individual Christians to live lives of honesty, integrity and concern
for the common good. But it also calls Christian communities to create circles of
integrity, networks of solidarity which can expand to embrace and transform society
by their prophetic witness. Homily for the Manila Cathedral Mass

6. We cant act towards change without seeing things from the eyes of the poor

How many young people among you are like this? You know how to give and yet you
have ever learned how to receive. You still lack one thing. Become a beggar. This is
what you still lack To learn how to receive with humility. To learn to be evangelized
by the poor, by those we help, the sick, orphans, they have so much to give us This is
what helps you mature in your commitment to give to others. Learn how to open your
hand from your very own poverty. Speech to the Youth Encounter

Only by becoming poor ourselves, by stripping away our complacency, will we be

able to identify with the least of our brothers and sisters. We will see things in a new
light and thus respond with honesty and integrity to the challenge of proclaiming the
radicalism of the Gospel in a society which has grown comfortable with social
exclusion, polarization and scandalous inequality. Homily for the Manila
Cathedral Mass
The great biblical tradition enjoins on all peoples the duty to hear the voice of the
poor. Malacanang Speech

Makes sense? Heres a few suggestions to get you started:

1. Sign up for the Peoples Initiative to abolish the Pork Barrel.

2. Learn more about real environmentalism from real environmental defenders.
3. Join an organization that puts Pope Francis teachings into action. If youre not
comfortable with a religious group, you can try this one.