Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint John Paul II, Pp. (22nd October, 2019) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
Rom 5:12.15.17-21;
Ps 39:7-10.17. (R.cf.vv.8.9);
Lk 12:35-38.
Pope Saint John Paul II (the Great) was born Karol
Józef Wojtyła (18th May, 1920 – 2nd April, 2005). He was
ordained a priest on 1st November 1946, consecrated a bishop on 28th
September, 1958, created a Cardinal on 26th June, 1967, and a Pope
from 16th October, 1978 to 2nd April, 2005. John Paul II
improved the Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox
Church, and the Anglican Communion. He visited 129 countries during his
pontificate, beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints. A key goal of his
papacy was to transform and reposition the Catholic Church. He was beatified on
1st May, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI and was canonized on 27th
April, 2014 by Pope Francis. Pope Saint John Paul II is the patron saint of the
Archdiocese of Kraków, Young Catholics, Families, among others.[1]
Topic: Are you ready?
Many have plans of preparing for eternal life. However, the
question is when.
We ought to be ever ready like servants waiting for their
master’s return. Those he finds alert will be blessed. He will make them sit at
the table and serve them himself.
However, he will come at any time. Jesus goes further,
...if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief
was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be
ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Once, a newly assigned devil was explaining his strategy to a
veteran. “My plan,” he said proudly, “is to convince the man that there is no
God.”
“No,” said the senior devil, “that will not work. All the man
has to do is take a look beyond the earth and he will know that God exists.”
“Well, then,” said the junior devil, “I will convince him
that there is no devil.”
“That is more promising,” Replied the veteran tempter, “but,
still, if he takes a close look around his own neighbourhood, he will realise
that the devil exists.”
“Here’s the best plan. Don’t try to convince him that there
is no God or that there is no devil. Just tell him there is no hurry.[2]
Father Sagayanathan concludes with these words, “Evidently
that is the current strategy to bring people down to hell”. Be warned!
Pope Saint John Paul II we celebrate today was not foreign to
many. We witnessed his life, death, beatification, and canonization. And today,
we celebrate him as a saint of God. If only we can repent today, we will
rejoice in heaven with all the saints of God.
Bible Reading: Matt 6:1-4; Acts 10:1-4; Rom 13:8-10; 1Jn 4:7-21.
Thought for today: Are you ready?
Let us pray: Lord, remind me how brief my time on
earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered –
how fleeting my life is (Ps 39:4) –
Amen.
Pope Saint John Paul II – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with
others if you consider it worthy.
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[2] Sagayanathan, A. (2009). Launching
pad: Stories for Sunday homilies – A, B & C. Bangalore: Asian
Trading Corporation, pp. 320-321.
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