The legacy of Pope John Paul II: 'The Great'

  On October 16, 1978 Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected pope and he chose the name of John Paul II. After more than 25 years of tireless ministry to the Universal Church on the evening of April 2, 2005, eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, he was called to his eternal rest.
    Pope John Paul II’s life spanned the biggest tragedies and greatest accomplishments of the modern world. He lived through the destruction of his nation, Nazi and Soviet mass murder, global nuclear stalemate — and yet he still could lead millions across the world to see in the human person the image of God’s beauty and love. As a pastor he renewed the church by turning the ideas of Vatican II into living realities. As a thinker, his writings on the dignity of human labor, the sanctity of human life, the meaning of real human freedom and role of faith and reason will shape the way Christians interact with the world for generations.His faith in Jesus Christ marked an entire age.

     Since his election in 1978 no one has done more than he to demonstrate that the strong powers of faith and moral values are forces to transform the world. For his entire pontificate, Pope John Paul II has not wavered in his message: Live the Gospel of Christ faithfully and witness it to the entire world. Nor has he wavered in his deep love and devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he honored by adding the five luminous mysteries to the rosary.
    Today, it can be said of this pope who arrived at the pontificate full of vitality and passion, that he lived St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians to the full: “I will gladly spend myself and be spent for your sakes. If I love you too much, will I be loved the less for that?” (2 Cor 12:15)
    Twenty-five years ago, the Holy Father, who came “from a far country” inaugurated his pontificate with two messages for the church and for the world: “Do not be afraid” and “Open wide the doors to Christ.” This “fearless” pope has visited more countries, met more of their citizens and spoken before more people, than any other current head of state. He has even met with five of our U.S. presidents.
    During these 25 years, Pope John Paul II has been to all of us sons and daughters of the church an incredible witness of evangelic courage. Without fear he has gone through the world. He has confronted assassination attempts and death threats with the confidence of one who knows that he is in the hands of God and our Blessed Mother, to whom he entrusted himself when he chose as his motto for his pontifical shield the phrase “Totus Tuus” (“All Yours”).

     Twenty-five years is still too little time to evaluate all the fruits of his long and productive pontificate. For the time being, however, we see much: the church finds itself thriving in its evangelization through many new apostolic movements, vocations have increased considerably, faith is announced in the farthest places and Catholic thinking is once again being considered and discussed in academic environments.
    In “Nove Millennio Ineunte,” published Jan. 6, 2001, Pope John Paul II points out that the essence of faith is not a “magic formula” but a person — Jesus Christ. “It is not therefore a matter of inventing a ‘new program.’ The program already exists. It is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living tradition, it is the same as ever. Ultimately, it has its center in Christ himself,” he said.
Catholics and many non-Catholics alike had a deep affection for Pope John Paul II, a charismatic pontiff and great communicator. This is a pope who has visited more countries, met more of their citizens and spoken before more people, than any other current religious leader.
    However, the bond that unites Catholics with the pope is not based merely on affection, but on the specific command of Jesus: “Simon, son of Jonah, I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church.”

    Jesus built his church upon the rock that is Peter. This means that the task of each successor of Peter throughout history is to preserve the unity and the identity of the church. The Scriptures say, “The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18) That is, against the church.
    The pope is a fundamental reference point for us; he is the strong rock wherein lies the unity of Catholics. The pope, unlike a CEO, is Christ’s true representative here on earth. In the words of St. Catherine of Siena, the pope is “the sweet Christ on earth.”
    We Catholics of the Archdiocese of San Antonio are privileged to carry in our hearts and minds the lasting remembrance of Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1987. Undoubtedly, this pope will enter the annals of history as “John Paul the Great.”

    May our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother Mary, to whom Pope John Paul II’s deep devotion is known, help us to gain spiritually from the gift of having shared this special time in history with this exceptional pope. As we continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul, let us pray also for the new pope, a new shepherd for the universal church: “A shepherd to the measure of the heart of Christ.”

See the April 15 edition of Today’s Catholic for the full text of the homily from Archbishop Gomez at the April 5 memorial Mass for Pope John Paul II at San Fernando Cathedral.