Questions with Answers
1. According to the article, what was it that the Pope refer as "our passport to paradise" and
why?
In the article, the pope focuses on the idea that it is the poor who is our passport to
paradise. In this world full of material possessions, unending satisfaction and tempting
situations, human person is the main subject who is to choose between two things, gaining
earth riches or sharing to those in need the wealth bestowed to us by God. If we choose to
stand by the sides of the poor who once Jesus became and give them what we have instead of
wanting more fleeting riches in this world, we are closely drawing ourselves to our purpose
in this life which is to love God and our neighbour. If we are to choose love for God and
others over anything else, we are gaining our way to heaven and choosing eternal life with
Him.
2. In your understanding, what is omission?
Omission, from my own understanding, simply means not taking into action,
excluding ourselves from something and turning our back away from situations because it
don't concern us. It can also be related to being selfish and not offering anything that we can
do to help others especially the poor. It is a sin in which the person only revolves his abilities
and talents around his own life and not caring to share it to his brothers and sisters in need.
3. Does 'omission' play a vital part in a person's life? How and why?
Every one of us, regardless of race, culture, class standing, age and gender, are called
to the same life and purpose given by God, which is to hone and share our talents in able to
help others. We need to prevent ourselves from omission or indifference because it only
makes us selfish and self-centered beings. Omission keeps us away from sharing our abilities
and talents to help other people and influences us not to take action in issues and problems.
The only right omission that is important and we should imitate is Jesus sacrificing his life
for others and overlooking his own interest.
4. As you read this article, is/are there some points, words, phrases, or sentence that struck
you or make you realize something significant?
"Before all else, let us realize this: we do have talents; in God’s eyes, we are
“talented”." This verse simply tells me not to think about being useless, incompetent or
unable to achieve anything, because God had bestowed in me his gifts and that I will never
be neglected from his being. The physical world or the society may not see those abilities but
our Father who is always there for us and who guided us from the very beginning is always
proud of us and will forever lift us whenever we are downed by problems and doubtful
people. However, we should also keep in mind and in our hearts that these talents are meant
to be used for a good reason and for our mission, which is to serve God and others.
5. How will you relate this message of Pope Francis to ministry?
This message of Pope Francis is closely related to ministry. In the article, we are
called to draw ourselves to the poor and understand their situation because it touches our
lives and reminds us to love God and our neighbour above anything else. This is the very
mission of a ministry. This is a realization to use our talents wisely by answering the call to
our own vocation such as studying priesthood to lead people to God or teaching catechism
and offering the poor a help, may it be financial or prayers. This message is the very core and
explanation behind why we need to seek not only what matters to us but what also is
beneficial for others.