‘Do you love me? Tend my sheep’: The Bible verses Pope Francis used in PHL

January 18, 2015 8:23pm

For the Catholic Mass, the readings and gospels for each day are already plotted in each country’s liturgical calendar, including the days of obligation and the feasts. But for special occasions, clergymen can choose certain readings and gospels in line with an event’s theme.

During his five-day visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis used bible readings chosen for each event to frame his sermons. But he also referenced other verses to emphasize a point.

Here is a list of verses used in the Pope's Masses and events in Manila and Leyte:
 
Papal Mass at Manila Cathedral

First Reading: Corinthians 5:14-20
Gospel: John 21:15-17

The pope highlighted these verses during his homily for Filipino clergy, lay, and religious persons, in which he asked them to look within themselves even as they reach outwards as "ambassadors for Christ."

• Do you love me?… Tend my sheep (Jn 21:15-17)
• The love of Christ impels us (2 Cor 5:14)
• We are called to be "ambassadors for Christ." (2 Cor 5:20).
• Christ died for all so that, having died in him, we might live no longer for ourselves but for him. (cf. 2 Cor 5:15).

Encounter with Families at MOA Arena

Gospel: Matthew 21:13-15, 19-23

At this event, Pope Francis listened to the woes of Filipino families facing the hardships of poverty, migration, and disability. He also urged them to protect the family.

• But like Saint Joseph, once we have heard God’s voice, we must rise from our slumber; we must get up and act (cf. Rom 13:11).
• With Mary, Joseph served as a model for the boy Jesus as he grew in wisdom, age and grace (cf. Lk 2:52).

Mass at Tacloban Airport

First Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16
Gospel: Mark 2:13-17

Pope Francis completely deviated from his prepared homily and spoke in Spanish to better express himself. But his undelivered speech highlighted the following verses:

• In the first reading, we heard that we have a great priest capable of sympathizing with our weakness, who in every respect has been tempted as we are… (cf. Heb 4:15).
• What words of consolation we have just heard! Once again, we have been told that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior, our high priest who brings us mercy, grace and help in all our needs (cf. Heb 4:14-16). He heals our wounds, he forgives our sins, and he calls us, as he did Saint Matthew (cf. Mk 2:14), to be his disciples.
• We can be confident that, in coming into the presence of God, they have encountered mercy and peace (cf. Heb 4:16).
• Our sadness is a seed which will one day bear fruit in the joy which our Lord has promised to those who trust in his words: “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted” (cf. Mt 5:4).
• Yet we are still able to gather and to thank him. We know that he cares for us, that in Jesus his Son, we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with us (cf.Heb 4:15), who suffers with us.
• For whatever you did for the least of Christ’s brothers and sisters, you did for him (cf. Mt 25:41).
• Today’s first reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, urges us to hold fast in our confession, to persevere in our faith, to draw near with confidence to the throne of God’s grace (cf. Heb 4:16).

Visit to Palo Cathedral

Gospel: Matthew 9:36 -10:8

With the threat of Tropical Storm Amang looming overhead, the pope had to cut his Leyte trip short and fly back to Manila a few hours ahead of schedule. He was not able to deliver his prepared speech, but the Vatican Press Office made the text available for use.

• Our treatment of the poor is the criterion on which each of us will be judged (cf. Mt 25:40, 45).

Encounter with the Youth at the University of Santo Tomas

First Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Gospel: Mark 10:17-22

Pope Francis, once again, deviated from his original speech. But in the text made available online by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff exhorted young people to withstand challenges to their integrity, and to care for the poor and the environment.

• In the reading we have just heard, Paul tells Timothy: “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity” (1 Tim 4:12).
• Men and women are made in the image and likeness of God, and given dominion over creation (cf. Gen 1:26-28).
• Many of you know what it is to be poor. But many of you have also experienced something of the blessedness that Jesus promised to “the poor in spirit” (cf. Mt 5:3).
• It is a difference that is so desperately needed, and one for which you will be richly rewarded by the Lord. For, as he has said: “you will have treasure in heaven” (Mk 10:21).

Concluding Mass at Quirino Grandstand

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 6, 15-18
Gospel: Mark 10: 13-16

Since the concluding papal Mass at Quirino Grandstand was held on the same day as the feast of the Sto. Niño, which is celebrated on the third Sunday of January, the readings for the homily were the readings for the feast day.

The Pope emphasized the following verses:

• A child is born to us, a son is given us (Is 9:5).
• Whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter i (Mk 10 :15).
• The Apostle tells us that because God chose us, we have been richly blessed! God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens (Ep h 1:3).
• In the Gospel, Jesus welcomes children, he embraces them and blesses them (Mk 10:16).

After four activity-filled days in Manila and Leyte, Pope Francis is expected to leave the Philippines Monday morning. — Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News

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