Category: Saint Pope John Paul II

CATHOLIC FAITHWATCH: “EASTER VIGIL HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER [SAINT] JOHN PAUL II, Holy Saturday, 14 April 2001” – VaticanVa

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“1. ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has Risen’ (Lk 24:5). … the two men dressed ‘in dazzling apparel’ rekindle the hope of the women who … rushed to the tomb …. They … experienced the tragic events culminating in Christ’s crucifixion … the sadness and the confusion. In the hour of trial … they had not abandoned their Lord. They go secretly to the place where Jesus was buried in order to see Him again and embrace Him one last time. … moved by love, that same love that led them to follow him through the byways of Galilee and Judea, all the way to Calvary.  What blessed women! They did not yet know that this was the dawn of the most important day of history. … that they … would be the first witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection.
 
2. “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb” (Lk 24:2). … ‘… they did not find the Body …’ …. In one brief moment, everything changes. Jesus ‘is not here, but has Risen.’ This announcement … chang[ing] the sadness of these pious women into joy, re-echoes with changeless eloquence throughout the Church in … this Easter Vigil. … the mother of all vigils, during which the whole Church waits at the Tomb of the Messiah, Sacrificed on the Cross. The Church waits and prays, listening again to the Scriptures that retrace the whole of salvation history. … it is not darkness that dominates but the blinding brightness of a sudden light that breaks through with the starling news of the Lord’s Resurrection. Our waiting and our prayer then become a song of joy …. [H]istory is completely turned around: death gives way to life, a life that dies no more. … Christ ‘by dying destroyed our death, by rising restored our life.’ … the Truth that we proclaim with our words … above all with our lives. He whom the women thought was dead is Alive. Their experience becomes our experience. …
 
3. … O Vigil … you disclose the very heart of our Christian existence! … O Christ, how can we fail to thank you for the Ineffable Gift … you lavish upon us? The Mystery of your Death and Resurrection descends into the Baptismal Waters that receive the old, carnal man and make him pure with divine youthfulness. … Jesus lives and we live in Him. For ever. … This Vigil makes us part of a day that knows no end. The day of Christ’s Passover, which for humanity is the beginning of a renewed springtime of hope. …”

Click here for: “EASTER VIGIL HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER [SAINT] JOHN PAUL II, Holy Saturday, 14 April 2001” – VaticanVa

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CATHOLIC FAITHWATCH: “[Saint John Paul II on the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Merciful Father -] General Audience, Sept. 8, 2019” – VaticanVa

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“… God’s Forgiveness is revealed through Jesus’ Words and Deeds. In pardoning sins, Jesus shows the Face of God the Merciful Father. … The high point of this revelation can be considered the sublime parable … usually called ‘the prodigal son’ … which should be called ‘the Merciful Father’ … God’s Attitude is presented in terms that are truly overwhelming in comparison with human criteria …. Leaving the father’s house clearly expresses … sin as an act of ungrateful rebellion with … humanly painful consequences.  … the father, catching sight of him while still a long way off, runs to meet him full of compassion (or better, ‘inwardly moved with pity,’ as the Greek text literally says: Lk 15: 20), embraces him lovingly and wants everyone to celebrate with him.

… legalism is surpassed by the father’s generous and gratuitous love …. Forgiveness consists not only in taking [the prodigal son] back … but also … the joy of restored communion, bringing him from death to life. … The merciful Father who embraces the prodigal son is the definitive icon of God revealed by Christ. First and foremost He is Father. It is God the Father who extends his arms in blessing and forgiveness, always waiting ….  [Jesus] has been sent to manifest the Father’s mercy. This is the mercy that shines brightly especially on Golgotha, in the sacrifice offered by Christ for the forgiveness of sins ….”

Click here for: “[Saint John Paul II on the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Merciful Father -] General Audience, Sept. 8, 2019” – VaticanVa

This Angelus also was the subject of the following Vatican Information Service press release from 1999:

GOD SHOWS HIS MERCY IN PARDONING SINS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 8, 1999 (VIS) – In this morning’s general audience held in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father, continuing his reflections on the meaning of conversion, spoke of the significance of the remission of sins which is offered through sacramental meditation.

If, said the Pope, forgiveness of sin in the Old Testament “does not attenuate man’s responsibility and the need for his commitment to conversion,” in the New Testament “God’s forgiveness is manifested through the words and deeds of Jesus. In forgiving sin, Jesus reveals to us the merciful face of the Father.”

John Paul II confirmed that the “pinnacle of this revelation may be considered as being the parable which is known as the ‘prodigal son’ but which should be called the ‘merciful father.'”

“The decision of the younger son to liberate himself (from his father) … is a blatant rejection of family communion. The distancing from the paternal home well expresses the meaning of sin and its character of ungrateful rebellion.” Human logic, expressed in the elder brother’s protest, would suggest “adequate punishment.” Nonetheless, the Pope continued, the father goes out to meet the prodigal son and shows him his love. “Pure legality is overcome by generous and unconditional parental love, which goes beyond human justice and summons both brothers to sit once more at the father’s table.”

“The merciful father of the parable both contains within himself and transcends all the attributes of paternity and maternity. … The mystery of the ‘return home’ admirably expresses the meeting between the Father and humanity, between mercy and misery, in a circle of love that does not only concern the lost son but extends to all.”

AG;FORGIVENESS SINS;…;…;VIS;19990908;Word: 280;
Published by VIS – Holy See Press Office – Wednesday, September 08, 1999

[the press release included the following notice:
Copyright © VIS – Vatican Information Service
In accordance with international regulations on Intellectual Property and Author’s Rights, VIS authorises reproduction of news items issued by the Vatican Information Service, partially or in their entirety, on condition that the source (VIS – Vatican Information Service) is quoted.]

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: Saint Pope John Paul II Vatican Links – VaticanVa

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II – Oct. 22” – USCCB

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“On October 12, 2012, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments confirmed the inscription of Saint John Paul II, Pope, into the Proper Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America. Two years later, on May 29, 2014, Pope Francis ordered the inscription of Saint John Paul II into the General Roman Calendar. St. John Paul is celebrated each year as an Optional Memorial on October 22. …”

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CATHOLIC FAITHWATCH: “Saint John Paul II’s Christological Catechesis” – VaticanVa

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“1.Catechesis as contemplation of the mystery of Christ:
From 7th January 1987 to 19th April 1989 the Holy Father John Paul II gave extensive catechesis on the second article of the Creed: “I believe in Jesus Christ”. It consists of 85 chapters of a Christological itinerary divided into eight stages:
a. Jesus Christ in the Old and New Testaments (1-13);
Christ Breaking Bread, Photograph of Painting, adapted from image at loc.gov with credit to Detroit Publishing Co.b. Jesus Christ Son of God (14-33);
c. Miracles as “signs” of Jesus’ divinity (34-40);
d. Jesus Christ man among men (41-44);
e. The Church’s faith in Jesus Christ (45-49);
f. Jesus Christ’s mission (50-64);
g. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice (65-76);
h. Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and glorification (77-85). …”

Click here for “Saint John Paul II’s Christological Catechesis” – VaticanVa

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II On the Person and Mission of Saint Joseph in the Life of Christ and of the Church” – Saint John Paul II/ VaticanVa

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“1. ‘Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife’ (cf. Mt 1 :24). Inspired by the Gospel, the Fathers of the Church from the earliest centuries stressed that just as St. Joseph took loving care of Mary and gladly dedicated himself to Jesus Christ’s upbringing,(1) he likewise watches over and protects Christ’s Mystical Body, that is, the Church, of which the Virgin Mary is the exemplar and model. …”

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Homily of Saint John Paul II, Solemnity of All Saints 2000” – VaticanVA

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“… Praise and thanksgiving to God for having raised up in the Church a great multitude of saints, whom no one could count (cf. Rv 7: 9). A great multitude: not only the saints and blesseds we honour during the liturgical year, but also the anonymous saints known only to him. Mothers and fathers of families, who in their daily devotion to their children made an effective contribution to the Church’s growth and to the building of society; priests, sisters and lay people who, like candles lit before the altar of the Lord, were consumed in offering material and spiritual aid to their neighbour in need; men and women missionaries, who left everything to bring the Gospel message to every part of the world. And the list could go on. …”

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Homily of His Holiness Saint John Paul II, 21st Anniversary of the Death of Paul VI, Friday, 6 August 1999” – vatican.va 8.6.99

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“Today, the #ucharist which we are preparing to celebrate takes us in spirit to Mount Tabor together with the Apostles Peter, James and John, to admire in rapture the splendour of the transfigured Lord. In the event of the #Transfiguration we contemplate the mysterious encounter between history, which is being built every day, and the blessed inheritance that awaits us in heaven in full union with #Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

We, pilgrims on earth, are granted to rejoice in the company of the transfigured Lord when we immerse ourselves in the things of above through prayer and the celebration of the divine mysteries. But, like the #disciples, we too must descend from Tabor into daily life where human events challenge our faith. On the mountain we saw; on the paths of life we are asked tirelessly to proclaim the #Gospel which illuminates the steps of believers. …”

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Homily of John Paul II [including the Parable of the Seed and the Sower], 12th World Youth Day, Mass for the Youth Forum” 8.23.97

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“… [we] think back to the parable of the sower. We know the parable, but we can re-read the words of the Gospel over and over again and still find new light. So the sower comes out to sow. As he sows, some seeds fall on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, some finally on good soil, and only these last gave fruit (cf. Mt 13:3-8).

Jesus did not limit himself to presenting us with a parable, he explained it. Let us hear then the explanation of the parable of the sower. The seeds that fell on the path represent those who hear the word of the Kingdom of God but do not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away what has been sown in their hearts (cf. Mt 13:19). The Evil One often uses this tactic and he tries to prevent the seed from germinating in people’s hearts. This is the first comparison. The second is the seed fallen on rocky ground. This ground represents the people who hear the word and welcome it immediately with joy, but they do not have roots in them and are inconstant. When tribulation or persecution comes because of the word, they fall away immediately (cf. Mt 13:20-21). What psychological insight in this comparison made by Christ! We know well from our experience and the experience of others the inconstancy of people deprived of the roots which would enable the word to grow! The third case is the seed fallen among thorns. Christ explains that he is thinking of those who hear the word but who, because of the worries of the world and their attachment to riches, stifle the word so that it does not bear fruit (cf. Mt 13:22).

Finally, the seed fallen on fertile ground represents those who hear the word and understand it, and the word bears fruit in them (cf. Mt 13:23). All of this magnificent parable speaks to us today as it spoke to the listeners of Jesus two thousand years ago. In the course of this world meeting of youth, let us become the fertile ground which receives the Gospel and bears fruit!

4. Bearing in mind that the human soul hesitates to welcome the word of God, let us address the Spirit with this ardent liturgical prayer:

Veni Creator Spiritus
Mentes tuorum visitas,
Imple superna gratia,
Quae tu creasti pectora.
Come, O Creator Spirit,
Visit the souls of those who belong to you;
Fill with your grace from on high
The hearts which you have made.

In this prayer we open our hearts, imploring the Spirit to fill them with light and life.
Spirit of God, make us ready to receive your visit. Make faith in the word which saves grow in us. Be the living source of the hope which blossoms in our lives. Be in us the breath of love which transforms us, and the fire of charity which impels us to give ourselves to the service of our brothers and sisters. …”

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CATHOLIC FAITHLINK: “Encyclical Letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia” – Saint John Paul II/ VaticanVa 2003

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“The Church draws her life from the Eucharist. This truth does not simply express a daily experience of faith, but recapitulates the heart of the mystery of the Church. In a variety of ways she joyfully experiences the constant fulfilment of the promise: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20), but in the Holy Eucharist, through the changing of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord, she rejoices in this presence with unique intensity. Ever since Pentecost, when the Church, the People of the New Covenant, began her pilgrim journey towards her heavenly homeland, the Divine Sacrament has continued to mark the passing of her days, filling them with confident hope.

The Second Vatican Council rightly proclaimed that the Eucharistic sacrifice is “the source and summit of the Christian life”.1 “For the most holy Eucharist contains the Church’s entire spiritual wealth: Christ himself, our passover and living bread. Through his own flesh, now made living and life-giving by the Holy Spirit, he offers life to men”.2 Consequently the gaze of the Church is constantly turned to her Lord, present in the Sacrament of the Altar, in which she discovers the full manifestation of his boundless love. …”

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