FULL TEXT: Welcome message of Bishop Gabriel Reyes at the Encounter with the Families

Welcome home!

 

This is your home. We are your children and you are our father. The families of the Philippines are here.

We have long welcomed you into our hearts. Now we embrace you eager to listen to you.

Where are the Filipino families?

Many of us are like the crisp morning sunburst. The family is our nest of happiness. The family is our cradle of warmth.

Speak to us Holy Father and bless us to remain in the sunshine of Jesus.

 

Some of us are fetching water in the heat of the noon sun like the Samaritan woman by the well. Some of us are confused. Some of us are living in guilt and shame because of our dark secret sins.

Some of us are weary and lonesome. We seem to have everything and yet we know we have nothing.

Speak to us Holy Father and teach us as Jesus did at the well of Jacob. Some of us are tired and burdened. Discouraged and hurt like the disciples of Emmaus on that Easter afternoon.

Our wages are not enough. Our backs are aching from working all day in foreign lands. Our children are hungry and we have none to feed them. We have not seen our children for years. We look for happiness in drugs and alcohol.

Speak to us, Holy Father and bring us the joy that only comes from Jesus.

But all of us are children of Easter morning. We are not children of gloom a nd darkness but children of light and hope. You are here. Jesus is here. Jesus makes us new.

 

Speak to us Holy Father. We will listen with love. We know you are also liste ning to us because you love us. Pope Francis, mahal na mahal po namin kayo! 

Source: Holy See Press Office