Filipino women are “smugglers” of faith! – Pope Francis

In his homily during the Mass for the 500th anniversary of the evangelization of the Philippines last March 14, 2021, Pope Francis affirms Filipinos’ testimony of life in spreading the joy of God’s love.

Pope Francis addresses that after 500 years since the Christian message arrived in the Philippines, “You received the joy of the Gospel: the good news that God so loved us that he gave his Son for us.”

The Pope observes that this joy is so evident in the daily life of the Filipino people: “We see it in your eyes, on your faces, in your songs and in your prayers.”

Filipinos bring this joy wherever they go. “I have often said that here in Rome Filipino women are “smugglers” of faith! Because wherever they go to work, they sow the faith,” the Pope added.

Thousands of Filipinos work not only in Rome and in some parts of Italy but also in other corners of the world. That is why he challenged Filipinos to continue spread the faith saying, “It is part of your genes, a blessed “infectiousness” that I urge you to preserve.”

After Filipino bishops declared a year of mission with the theme that centers on gifted to give, the Pope supports the call for Filipinos to evangelize others.

He also thanks Filipinos, especially those who work abroad for their “discreet and hardworking presence [that] became a testimony of faith.”

At the same time, Pope Francis exhorts Filipinos “to persevere in the work of evangelization – not proselytism, which is something else.” He hopes that this Christian proclamation may be brought to all the world.

His reflection is founded on the Gospel of the day emphasizing that God loves us forever, and that He gave His only Son for us. This is where joy is rooted – on the realization that God is so loving and He does not want anybody to perish.

“How beautiful and attractive is a Church that loves the world without judging, a Church that gives herself to the world,” the Pope ended. (DCH)