Remembering Pope John Paul II
“And the Virgin’s name was Mary.”
Luke went out of his way in today’s Gospel to point out Jesus’ humble earthly start. The earth wasn’t a very big place in those days, but he still felt he needed to explain to his readers where Nazareth was. It was a town of Galilee; a very small town. My wife is from Hecker, IL. Whenever someone asks her where she’s from, she always has to explain where Hecker is. Nazareth was that kind of town.
She was a virgin. In those days, virgins had zero social standing. Married women didn’t have very many rights, but unmarried women had none at all. Luke tells us the girl’s name almost as an afterthought. “And the Virgin’s name was Mary.”
It’s very appropriate that we come together on this Feast of the Annunciation to celebrate the life of Pope John Paul II. Like Mary, he was born in a small town. Like Mary, he grew up in a country that was occupied by foreign invaders. Like Mary, in spite of his humble beginnings, he would change the world. And, he had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
The Committee on the Liturgy has sent word that this homily should highlight the “efforts of the Pontiff to achieve peace in the world, as well as his ecumenical outreach.” “His faithful proclamation of the Paschal mystery as well as his constant care, concern, and outreach for the poor, the sick, and oppressed should be central topics. The homily may also assist the Church to face this moment in great hope.” Wow! How am I going to do that?
Fortunately, many of us here tonight were blessed with the opportunity to see this holy man in person, right here in St. Louis. At the time, Monsignor Eichor was my spiritual advisor. He suggested that I print out the transcripts of the Holy Father’s talks while he was here and study them. I did that and I still have them in this book.
I thought tonight I’d let John Paul speak for himself.
On Tuesday, January 26, 1999, more than 20,000 young people attended a youth rally at what was then called Kiel Center. The event began early in the morning even though the Pope wouldn’t arrive until evening. The energy level was high that morning and it just got higher and higher as the day went along. The Pope received an ovation from the kids that would be the envy of any rock star.
The Holy Father began, “Your warm and enthusiastic welcome makes me very happy. It tells me that tonight the Pope belongs to you.” He talked about the Mark McGuire/Sammy Sosa home run competition of the year before and said “You can feel the same great enthusiasm as you train for a different goal: the goal of following Christ, the goal of bringing his message to the world.” Each one of you belongs to Christ and Christ belongs to you.”
He told them that he was especially pleased that so many of them had taken the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance that day. “Your burdens are lifted and you experience the joy of new life in Christ.”
He encouraged them to share in the Eucharist in their parishes every Sunday. “This is an essential part of your ‘training in devotion to the Lord!”
In the second part of his talk to the young people, John Paul’s theme was “light”. He told them that they are the light of the world. “But only if you are one with Jesus can you share his light and be a light to the world. Are you ready for this?”
He told them that true freedom is a gift from God and that freedom has been a “cherished part of your country’s history.” He went on, “Freedom is not the ability to do anything we want, whenever we want. Rather, freedom is the ability to live responsibly the truth of our relationship with God and with one another. Remember what Jesus said, ‘you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’”
The Holy Father ended his visit with the young people by saying, “On the horizon of this city stands the Gateway Arch, which often catches the sunlight in its different colors and hues. In a similar way, in a thousand different ways, you must reflect the light of Christ through your lives of prayer and joyful service to others. With the help of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the young people of America will do this magnificently!
Remember, Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope believes in you and he expects great things of you!
On Wednesday morning, John Paul celebrated the Mass of the Sacred Heart for what some say is the largest indoor gathering of any kind in the history of the United States, over 100,000 people.
He told the story of the first mass celebrated in St. Louis, over three hundred years earlier on the banks of the Mississippi. It was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. “These three centuries have been a history of God’s love poured out in this part of the United States and a history of generous response to that love…..St. Louis has been the Gateway to the West, but it has also been the gateway of great Christian witness and evangelical service.”
The Pope talked about the outstanding missionary activity that was begun by our first pastor, Bishop Rosati. He talked about the “numerous Religious Congregations of men and women who have labored for the Gospel with exemplary dedication, generation after generation.”
He mentioned Cardinal Ritter sending the first Fiedi Donum priests to Latin America in 1956. He said “Here, by the grace of God, charitable activities of every kind have been a vibrant part of Catholic life. He specifically mentioned the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities, our outstanding Catholic health care facilities and our Catholic schools.
“In the holiness and service of St. Louis’ own Ste. Philippine Duchesne, and of countless faithful priests, religious and laity since the Church’s earliest days in this area, Catholic life has appeared in all its rich and varied splendor. Nothing less is asked of you today.
“As believers, how can we fail to see that aborting, euthanasia, and assisted suicide are a terrible rejection of God’s gift of life and love? And, as believers, how can we fail to feel the duty to surround the sick and those in distress with the warmth of our affection and the support that will help them always to embrace life?”
Just as he had told the young people the night before, he emphasized the importance of the Eucharist in our lives. “The Gospel of God’s love, which we are celebrating today, finds its highest expression in the Eucharist. In the Mass and in Euchatristic Adoration, we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ.”
He ended by saying,
“Mary, Mother of Mercy, teach the people of St. Louis and of the United States to say ‘yes’ to your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!
Mother of the Church, on the way to the Great Jubilee of the Third Millenium, be the Star which safely guides our steps to the Lord!
Virgin of Nazareth, two thousand years ago you brought into the world the Incatrnate Word: lead the men and women of the new millennium to the One who is the true light of the World! Amen.”
I have to tell you a quick story about the picture of the Pope that’s on the easel on your right. I bought it at the Bishop DuBourg High School auction. I paid $105 for it. I don’t tell you that to brag about how much money I spent. I tell you because it may give you an idea of what I think of our Holy Father. If Jan were here, she would tell you that I’m a little hesitant to spend money. If there’s something I want to buy, I’ll go to half a dozen stores to make sure that I’m getting a good deal.
But when this picture came up for bid at the auction, I knew I had to have it. Jan had gone to bid on some baskets, or something and had left me alone with the bid paddle. Once I got started, there was no way anyone else was going to buy that picture. If it had gone to $205 I still would have gotten it.
As an adult convert, John Paul II is really “my Pope.” He’s actually the third Pope since I joined the Church, but he was the first one I really paid any attention to. And to think that I was actually in the same room with him, twice, still amazes me. I know there were thousands of others there too, but I was early in my formation process in 1999 and I felt like he was speaking directly to me.
The world is a better place for Pope John Paul II’s having been here.
Luke went out of his way in today’s Gospel to point out Jesus’ humble earthly start. The earth wasn’t a very big place in those days, but he still felt he needed to explain to his readers where Nazareth was. It was a town of Galilee; a very small town. My wife is from Hecker, IL. Whenever someone asks her where she’s from, she always has to explain where Hecker is. Nazareth was that kind of town.
She was a virgin. In those days, virgins had zero social standing. Married women didn’t have very many rights, but unmarried women had none at all. Luke tells us the girl’s name almost as an afterthought. “And the Virgin’s name was Mary.”
It’s very appropriate that we come together on this Feast of the Annunciation to celebrate the life of Pope John Paul II. Like Mary, he was born in a small town. Like Mary, he grew up in a country that was occupied by foreign invaders. Like Mary, in spite of his humble beginnings, he would change the world. And, he had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin.
The Committee on the Liturgy has sent word that this homily should highlight the “efforts of the Pontiff to achieve peace in the world, as well as his ecumenical outreach.” “His faithful proclamation of the Paschal mystery as well as his constant care, concern, and outreach for the poor, the sick, and oppressed should be central topics. The homily may also assist the Church to face this moment in great hope.” Wow! How am I going to do that?
Fortunately, many of us here tonight were blessed with the opportunity to see this holy man in person, right here in St. Louis. At the time, Monsignor Eichor was my spiritual advisor. He suggested that I print out the transcripts of the Holy Father’s talks while he was here and study them. I did that and I still have them in this book.
I thought tonight I’d let John Paul speak for himself.
On Tuesday, January 26, 1999, more than 20,000 young people attended a youth rally at what was then called Kiel Center. The event began early in the morning even though the Pope wouldn’t arrive until evening. The energy level was high that morning and it just got higher and higher as the day went along. The Pope received an ovation from the kids that would be the envy of any rock star.
The Holy Father began, “Your warm and enthusiastic welcome makes me very happy. It tells me that tonight the Pope belongs to you.” He talked about the Mark McGuire/Sammy Sosa home run competition of the year before and said “You can feel the same great enthusiasm as you train for a different goal: the goal of following Christ, the goal of bringing his message to the world.” Each one of you belongs to Christ and Christ belongs to you.”
He told them that he was especially pleased that so many of them had taken the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance that day. “Your burdens are lifted and you experience the joy of new life in Christ.”
He encouraged them to share in the Eucharist in their parishes every Sunday. “This is an essential part of your ‘training in devotion to the Lord!”
In the second part of his talk to the young people, John Paul’s theme was “light”. He told them that they are the light of the world. “But only if you are one with Jesus can you share his light and be a light to the world. Are you ready for this?”
He told them that true freedom is a gift from God and that freedom has been a “cherished part of your country’s history.” He went on, “Freedom is not the ability to do anything we want, whenever we want. Rather, freedom is the ability to live responsibly the truth of our relationship with God and with one another. Remember what Jesus said, ‘you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’”
The Holy Father ended his visit with the young people by saying, “On the horizon of this city stands the Gateway Arch, which often catches the sunlight in its different colors and hues. In a similar way, in a thousand different ways, you must reflect the light of Christ through your lives of prayer and joyful service to others. With the help of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the young people of America will do this magnificently!
Remember, Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope believes in you and he expects great things of you!
On Wednesday morning, John Paul celebrated the Mass of the Sacred Heart for what some say is the largest indoor gathering of any kind in the history of the United States, over 100,000 people.
He told the story of the first mass celebrated in St. Louis, over three hundred years earlier on the banks of the Mississippi. It was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. “These three centuries have been a history of God’s love poured out in this part of the United States and a history of generous response to that love…..St. Louis has been the Gateway to the West, but it has also been the gateway of great Christian witness and evangelical service.”
The Pope talked about the outstanding missionary activity that was begun by our first pastor, Bishop Rosati. He talked about the “numerous Religious Congregations of men and women who have labored for the Gospel with exemplary dedication, generation after generation.”
He mentioned Cardinal Ritter sending the first Fiedi Donum priests to Latin America in 1956. He said “Here, by the grace of God, charitable activities of every kind have been a vibrant part of Catholic life. He specifically mentioned the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities, our outstanding Catholic health care facilities and our Catholic schools.
“In the holiness and service of St. Louis’ own Ste. Philippine Duchesne, and of countless faithful priests, religious and laity since the Church’s earliest days in this area, Catholic life has appeared in all its rich and varied splendor. Nothing less is asked of you today.
“As believers, how can we fail to see that aborting, euthanasia, and assisted suicide are a terrible rejection of God’s gift of life and love? And, as believers, how can we fail to feel the duty to surround the sick and those in distress with the warmth of our affection and the support that will help them always to embrace life?”
Just as he had told the young people the night before, he emphasized the importance of the Eucharist in our lives. “The Gospel of God’s love, which we are celebrating today, finds its highest expression in the Eucharist. In the Mass and in Euchatristic Adoration, we meet the merciful love of God that passes through the Heart of Jesus Christ.”
He ended by saying,
“Mary, Mother of Mercy, teach the people of St. Louis and of the United States to say ‘yes’ to your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!
Mother of the Church, on the way to the Great Jubilee of the Third Millenium, be the Star which safely guides our steps to the Lord!
Virgin of Nazareth, two thousand years ago you brought into the world the Incatrnate Word: lead the men and women of the new millennium to the One who is the true light of the World! Amen.”
I have to tell you a quick story about the picture of the Pope that’s on the easel on your right. I bought it at the Bishop DuBourg High School auction. I paid $105 for it. I don’t tell you that to brag about how much money I spent. I tell you because it may give you an idea of what I think of our Holy Father. If Jan were here, she would tell you that I’m a little hesitant to spend money. If there’s something I want to buy, I’ll go to half a dozen stores to make sure that I’m getting a good deal.
But when this picture came up for bid at the auction, I knew I had to have it. Jan had gone to bid on some baskets, or something and had left me alone with the bid paddle. Once I got started, there was no way anyone else was going to buy that picture. If it had gone to $205 I still would have gotten it.
As an adult convert, John Paul II is really “my Pope.” He’s actually the third Pope since I joined the Church, but he was the first one I really paid any attention to. And to think that I was actually in the same room with him, twice, still amazes me. I know there were thousands of others there too, but I was early in my formation process in 1999 and I felt like he was speaking directly to me.
The world is a better place for Pope John Paul II’s having been here.
posted by Mike at 10:30 PM
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