Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope
Today, the Church celebrates the life and sainthood of Pope John Paul II, and his story should give us encouragement in a world that appears increasingly confused and divided. John Paul grew up in Poland between two world wars and entered the seminary in the midst of the second – he saw his homeland occupied first by Nazi Germany and then by Soviet Russia. He served as Roman pontiff in the midst of the Cold War, in an unstable world threatened by nuclear war. And in the midst of all of this, his message to the world was unchanging: “Be not afraid.”
John Paul II had great reasons to be afraid – the great wars, upheavals, and crimes of the 20th century certainly warranted fear. And yet John Paul II knew that Christ had conquered even that turbulent century, two-thousand years ago on the cross. His faith in Christ was rewarded: he witnessed the liberation of Poland and an end to the Cold War, with a renewed hope in humanity’s future.
As we continue to struggle through the conflicts of our century, we will do well to listen to John Paul II’s words, which he addressed particularly to the youth of his age: “Be not afraid.” Christ still walks with us, towards a hope-filled future, even when our own hope falters. Today, let us pray for the grace of hope in our divided country and world.