Friends in Christ, as we gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Saint John Paul II, we are reminded that he was a pope whose name resonates with hope, peace, and profound faith. For someone born in the 70s, growing up with this pope as a leader in the Church was truly a blessing in many ways. Our readings from Isaiah and the Gospel of John provide us with a beautiful lens through which to reflect on his extraordinary life and mission as a shepherd of the Church.
In the first reading from Isaiah (52:7-10), we hear the stirring proclamation: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news." These words encapsulate the essence of a true messenger of God—someone who brings forth joy and announces salvation. John Paul II embodied this call throughout his papacy. He traveled tirelessly across the globe, often to the world's most challenging places, to deliver a message of hope and reconciliation.
He understood that the world was in desperate need of peace, especially in the context of the Cold War. His historic visit to Poland in 1979 was a pivotal moment, as it ignited hope in the hearts of his compatriots and encouraged solidarity movements that would eventually lead to the downfall of oppressive regimes. Just as Isaiah spoke of "the LORD restoring Zion," John Paul II served as a beacon of light and encouragement to those who were suffering, reminding them that God is near and is able to save.
In our second reading from the Gospel of John (21:15-17), we find a poignant moment of dialogue between Jesus and Peter. Here, Jesus asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Each time, Peter responds affirmatively, and Jesus commands him to "Feed my lambs" and "Tend my sheep." This exchange highlights the deep connection between love and service, a theme that John Paul II lived out with unwavering commitment.
From his youth as a priest in Poland, John Paul II demonstrated a profound love for his flock. As bishop and later as pope, he often referred to the Church as a shepherding community, emphasizing the call to guide, nurture, and protect God’s people. Notably, through his teachings and writings, he made it clear that love must be at the center of all pastoral ministry. His encyclical Redemptor Hominis emphasizes Christ as the redeemer of humanity, urging all believers to respond to His love with their own acts of love and service.
Saint John Paul II also had the remarkable capacity to connect with people from all walks of life. Whether he was meeting with the children of World Youth Day, embracing the sick, or engaging in interfaith dialogue, he had a unique gift for making everyone feel seen and valued. He embodied what it means to "tend my sheep" in the most profound sense. His message was always one of dignity—every person is a child of God, deserving of love and respect. In fact, perhaps what made his persona so magnetic, was his very visible expressions of concern and love, especially for the struggling. It was that kind of love which made his aura of holiness even more manifest throughout his papacy.
There’s innumerable other highlights to mention from his life, not least of which is his survived assassination attempts on his life, but suffice it to say that love was the essence of his life, and that now he loves us even more perfectly from paradise. In concluding this homily, we call upon his intercession, so that we too can show diligent concern for the poor, and for all those around us, and to be beacons of light, love, and hope in the world that so desperately needs it. Saint John Paul II, pray for the pilgrim Church on earth, as it makes its way to heaven, so that with you and all the angels and saints, above all, with the Mother of all the Living, we too make abide with the Lord forever, and there enjoy eternal beatitude in the company of the God who is our hope, our joy, our all. Amen.
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