St. John Paul II

INTRODUCTION

Today we remember an enormously great man St. John Paul II. He was instrumental in the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, a Pontiff who tried to heal ancient wounds between Christianity and Judaism, who tired to reach to Islam and Buddhism. He was a relentless advocate of the poor and the down trodden. A Father figure to the youth and a passionate devotee of the Blessed Mother. His life was a life lived to the fullest, according to the Gospels. This is what our readings today speak about. Living a Godly life is our best preparation for the coming of the Saviour.

HOMILY | Romans 5:12 | Luke 12:35-38

In the Book Written by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, his personal secretary, he narrated the story of during the time he was weak. Rumours swirled of a plan of succession if the Pope becomes incapacitated leaving the Papacy hanging. The rumours swirled that because he was sickly, he might resign anytime soon. But St. John Paul II responded. “We don’t come down from the cross.”

Resignation is completely inconsistent with the psychology of the man. When he was assasinated in May 13, 1985, he believed that the Blessed Mother saved his life. So his pontificate is a part of a larger cosmic reality, a reality of the fight of evil and good in the world. He believed that it is not up to him to decide when to quit.

We saw him become weak time after time. We saw him bent but not broken. We saw him confined to the hospital week after week. In his last audience, from the window of the Papal apartments, after Easter Sunday of 2005, which was his last public appearance, we was unable to speak. We was trying to speak but no words would come from his mouth, just sounds. And so his assistants had to pull the microphone down. He was frustrated. It was caught on Camera. And for the last time, he gave his blessing to the people down St. Peter’s square. One of his assistants recounted the words of the Pope at that moment. It might be better that I die if I cannot fulfil the mission entrusted to me.

Pope John Paul II is a model for us religious NOT to quit. Never give up. To pray all the time.

When he was alive, he taught people how to live. When he was dying, he showed people how to die. At the end of the 21st century, anti-life was dominating the world. Euthanasia, Abortion, Mercy Killing, and all forms of death. But his death was a death defined by perseverance. He did not resign. He did not quit. He died the way God wanted him die. In the midst of the culture of death, his life was a Grace from God, Grace which reigned regardless.

He wrote many documents and encyclicals about life, moral truths, social teachings among philosophy and theology. He is a man who certainly lived a mark. A priest who lived his priesthood to the fullest, inspiring and influencing people from all walks of life.

May we be inspired by his example.