Sunday D.

Brasona October 30, 2019

REFLECTION
As I was watched the movie “The Good Pope” I ask myself why he was called the good
pope. Perhaps, there are factors that can be considered or there is actually an exact reason why,
but for me I have my own reflection why Pope John XXIII is called the good pope. Pope John
XXIII is a good pope because he cares the marginalized in the community.

First, when Pope John XXIII went to the prisoners and said that “you are my son and now
return to your families, relatives and children and tell them I come to see you.” These words
from pope inspires me to be also like him, not as who he is because he is a pope but his way of
reaching the sinners; since we are all sinners that we should also go to them. Indeed, even in that
small thing Pope John XXIII did not hesitate to visit prisoners that boast their feeling of being
isolate and thus how about me? This is a great challenge for me as a seminarian.

Second, when Pope John XXIII went to the hospitals to visit the sick. I never experience
to visit the sick with my own intention to see their situation or to give food and medicine for
them. Because I think, they are fine because the sick are in the hospital there are doctors and
experts in medicine that help them so what can I help? I am not a doctor or nurse. But in a
positive way around, I got from the book and I quote: “I come to see you” the response of a
chaplain in a hospital who was asked by the doctor “what are doing here?” maybe that’s the
point; just to see them.

Lastly, the initiative of Pope John XXIII to conduct a first ecumenical council of the
Church in 90 years. In the hope of embracing new currents of reform and renewal, especially as
played out by the Cold War. This is also the time of the arising of the Pacem in Terris which is
one the most relevant encyclicals ever until now. I was impressed by the idea of Pope John
XXIII or Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli who was able to think this kind of idea. Some changes were
the role of priests, evangelizing, use of the vernacular in Mass and changes in the liturgy, among
others, were all reconsidered in the spirit of aggiornamento (“bringing up to date”).

The ecumenical council for me contributes so much of what we have now in our church
particularly in the liturgy and the vernacular. If until now the mass is in Latin a few would
understand the word of God be able to connect it to our daily living. And the priest that
celebrates the mass facing the congregation is also worth appreciating to, imagine if the priest
faces the altar during mass maybe some parishioners will go home without knowledge of a
priest. That’s somehow sounds ridiculous but it could be true especially today in which most
people are busy in seeking the good life.

Thus, Pope John XXIII is not just a simple and humble pope but a good pope because he
considered all the possibilities that could help the people deepen their faith by the good tradition
of the church. Nobody thought it before even the cardinals and here now the renewed church that
is open to all.