Inspiring words of Pope John Paul II

What words would Blessed John Paul say to us today, if he were standing here at this pulpit? What insights would he give us on battling fear, based on his own personal experience? Well, we cant know the answer to that question for sure, but I strongly suspect he would say things like this:

Do not fear that God will fail to provide for your needs. He will always provide. Remember, I lost my entire family before I was 21 years of age. My only sister died before I was born. My mother died when I was 8. My elder (and only) brother, a medical doctor whom I greatly loved and admired, died 3 years later; and my father, who was my greatest spiritual inspiration, died tragically less than a decade after that. At 20, I had already lost all the people I loved. But the Lord was always there for me, and he will always be there for you.

Do not be afraid of liesthe lies the world tells you every day about the human person and about life and its meaning. When I lived under Nazi and Communist rule in Poland I battled these lies every day. But I knew the truth, rooted in my faith, and I proclaimed it as openly and as clearly as I could. Nazism and Communism were political and economic systems built on the very worst of lies, so they were doomed from the start. Many people were surprised when Soviet Communism crumbled in Eastern Europe in the early 1990s, but I wasnt. Whats built on lies, eventually dies. So dont be afraid of them.

Do not be afraid of suffering. I suffered in so many ways in my life. I just told you about some of them: losing all the members of my family before I was 21; living for years under Nazi and Communist oppression (I was even forced to study for the priesthood secretly, in an underground seminary). But there were many other sufferings as well: for example, the time I was shot in St. Peters Square in 1981 and nearly died; and, of course, my long and difficult battle with Parkinsons Disease. But through these and all the other trials of my life, I looked to God and found my strength in him. His grace was always sufficient for me, and it will always be sufficient for you. So dont be afraid. Do not be afraid to confront your sin and repent of it. I instituted todays feast, the

feast of the Divine Mercy, to remind the world that every sin can be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. And dont be afraid to take your sins to the sacrament of Confession. Jesus gave the power to priests to dispense his mercy to repentant sinners. As you heard him say to the very first priests in todays gospel, Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.

And speaking of forgiveness, do not be afraid to extend forgiveness to others. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; its an act of strength. And its an act that brings with it liberation and peace. Remember how I forgave the man who tried to assassinate me back in 1981? I did that because it was the right thing to dothe thing Jesus wanted me to doand I did it to set an example for the world. Hate destroys, but forgiveness heals. Do not be afraid to face the tough issues and the tough questionsafter all, as a Catholic you possess the truth! Because I wasnt afraid of taking on the difficult contemporary issues relative to sexual morality, I gave the world a series of teachings known as the Theology of the Bodyteachings that will help people to find fulfillment in their relationships for generations to come. And finally, do not be afraid of the future; and certainly do not be afraid of death. Jesus promised to be with us always, until the end of time. And he told us that in his Fathers house there are many dwelling placesincluding one for us, if we remain faithful. Remember how I approached death: I put myself confidently in the hands of Jesus through Mary. The last words my secretary heard me say on my deathbed were, Totus tuusTotally yours, Mary. And without any fear in my heart I said to a nun in my final hours, Let me go to the Lord.

I hope you will join me today in thanking God for the gift of John Paul II, and for the many lessons our former Holy Father taught usespecially that very important lesson: Be not afraid! Given the fact that he is now Blessed John Paul II, I think the best way for us to conclude is to seek his heavenly intercession for all of our special intentions. For this purpose, Ill use the prayer I gave out for people to say for my healing. I ask you now to kneel as I say the prayer in the name of each of us:

O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II, and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen!
Taken from: Fr. Ray Suriani blog post. Do you want to Follow the Foot Steps of Pope John Paul II,

* see the house where he was born, the bascillica where he was baptised * pray at same church which was very very dear to him ie Our Lady of Kalvaria, a 400 year old church * pray at the Dvivine Mercy shrine, which he emphasised so much * visit the smae places, mountains which he used to visit * and Have a Fantastic holiday at the same time.
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