THE POPE’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Don’t gossip                         :

In less than a year as pontiff, Francis has preached against gossip at least 6 different instances.

We religious have all the time in the world to gossip.

Celebrate the others presence in your communities.

Finish your meals               :

Francis speaks with migrants during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, Southern Italy.

People take the risk to migrate so as to live.

Make time for others        :

Pope Francis invitees and chats with Leandro Martins, a non- Catholic biker who randomly invites a meeting with him.

Religious must be people who are available.

Choose the ‘more humble’ purchase   :

Pope Francis speaking with collaborators next to white Renault 4L offered by Fr. Don Renzo Zocca

on September 4^th at the Vatican.

As religious we need to buy simple things and be simple.

 

Meet the poor ‘in the flesh’        `           :

Pope Francis kissing the feet of a young offender after washing them during a Mass at the Church of the Casaldel Marmo youth prison on the ourskirts of Rom

e as part of Holy Thursday.

As shepherds we need to smell our sheep.

Stop judging others                              :         

       

Pope Francis reminds priests and bishops to avoid prejudices.

Befriend those who disagree                  :

Pope Francis even prays for one of his worst critics.

Critics help us to see ourselves.

We don’t need to hate our critics.

Cutting away from people will make us smaller.

Dialogue is the way to reach them.

Make commitments, such marriage..  :

Pope Francis holds a baby, the fruit of a sacrament that he says is not ‘out of fashion’

 

Make it a habit to ‘ask the Lord’            :

Those making discernment must make decisions with the Lord.

Be happy                                                      :

Challenging his flock to share joy with others, Pope Francis embraces a disfigured man in November.