John Paul II

John Allen was asked by Aaron Brown what his reaction was when he heard that the Pope had passed. Allen responded that even though he had known it was coming, there was still, at the moment he heard the news, a feeling of sadness, a void, an unmistakable knowledge that something - someone important was gone from his life.

That is probably the way many of us feel, and what I want to try to put into words is what that means, and what Catholics are saying through their actions during these days.

Yesterday afternoon, I spent some time with some women associated with Opus Dei. They had me to lunch,and then, as we retired to a sitting room so I could nurse the baby, and we watched CNN, just then recovering from a false rumor over the Pope's demise. The responses of these very faithful women intrigued me. The atmosphere in the room  was calm, accepting, and hopeful. There was sadness, but I think I would say that appreciation - for the John Paul II's ministry - , prayer for him in his suffering, hope for the future of the Church, and trust in God's providence, that He would sustain this Church as He had for 2000 years... were the overwhelming feelings in that room.

It's a feeling I have when I look at the amazing crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, as well, seeing people of every age, from every corner of the globe,families and vowed religious. Reporters focus on the tears,but I wonder if they understand what the tears are about.

A few weeks ago, Gregg Easterbrook rather ignorantly asked, "Hey, why mourn the Pope? Aren't Catholics Christians? Shouldn't we celebrate His - or anyone else's entrance into eternal life?" Well, yes Gregg, and it seems to me as I listened to the Scripture passages being proclaimed afterthe Pope's death this afternoon, they were all, every one, about the hope and promise of eternal life.

But we are still on earth, and they call it a valley of tears for a reason. Because we weep, naturally, even through our hope, and there is not a thing wrong with that.

John Paul II was a powerful presence, a great Pope, who we remember, not just for what God accomplished through him, but for the witness his life, as a whole, gave us. Of a human being who took his considerable gifts - and handed them over to God, saying, "Do with me according to your will." Like Mary to the angel, in an event we remember this coming week, as a matter of fact, John Paul lived open to God's will and fearless in sharing the Good News with the world - and every facet of it, living what we say we believe - that there is no part of life that does not need the light of Christ shone on it, brightly and tirelessly.

The tears, I think, are tears of gratitude for this life of witness, that has showed us how to live and die as disciples, as well as for the fact that this witness lies, physically, if not spiritually, in the past now. There is, as John Allen suggested, a void. Who can imagine anyone else but Karol Wotyla as Pope, especially those of us under, say 45?

What's important for those unfamiliar with Catholicism to remember, though, is this. Even though there was a great deal of devotion to Pope John Paul II as an individual, most Catholics - especially, I would imagine, those gathered right now at St. Peter's - are very aware that John Paul represented more than himself - as any Pope does. When we watch John Paul minister, suffer, and die, we're watching, not just an individual, but the entire Body of Christ do just that. It's not that the Pope is the Church, but that in the Pope, we have this most powerful symbol of Church as Body of Christ, as Jesus alive in the world, a role each of us shares through our baptism. There's a feeling of awe when we consider that John Paul was one of many popes all engaged in the same ministry over two thousand years, which means that the Body he led has been doing this same ministry for over two thousand years. What people should see as they watch television over the next few days, as they see millions of Catholics react to the Pope's death, mourn, celebrate and pray, is that what we are doing is not fixating on an individual, or engaging in idol worship, but rather meditating on who we are as a Church...thanking God for where He has led us, praying that John Paul will be rewarded for his witness and ministry, and praying, once again, in hope - and, as the honest among us will admit, with a bit of curiosity - where God will lead us next.

Which, I would suspect, is exactly what John Paul would want us to do.

Comments

[Alex E]

I was born in 1977. I knew not another Pope. I am greatful to be alive at this time; and thank God for Pope John Paul II. As I listened the radio, of his death, I cried.

Rest eternal grant to him, Lord...

[Michelle K.]

Great post Amy. Describes how I feel exactly, this knowing that someone truly great has passed from our midst. May God bless him for his fearless witness. What a man!

[Therese Z]

A dying that you sit with, holding their hand and watching them (even at this distance) is different than a death you run and hide from. This feels just like when my 95-year-old grandmother died, while we all took turns sitting next to her, talking to her, thanking her, loving her.

Sad but peaceful. Confirmed in hope.

[Joan]

Amy, you've described my own feelings beautifully. I have cried a lot over these past few weeks, with good reason for tears. For Terri Schiavo, I cried for her needless suffering and the pain of her parents, and futility of the situation. For the Pope, I cry for all of us who are left behind -- I have echoes of the feelings I had when my own father died seven years ago. He had been quite ill and certainly his death lifted the burden of his suffering. My tears were tears of disbelief: what were we all going to do without Dad? How can things ever be the same?

Well, things of course have not been the same, and I miss my father every day, and mourn especially the fact that he never met my two younger children. It's patently obvious that as a grown woman I didn't need my father to have a good life, but it is just as certain that having him in my life enriched it in ways that are impossible to measure.

Obviously a family dad is different in both degree and nature from the spiritual fatherhood that the Pope represents. But I have the same sense of loss, even though I know we will of course continue, and very likely thrive under the new leadership when it is appointed.

[Dave P.]

We rejoice because our beloved Holy Father has gone to his well-deserved reward in heaven. There, he'll not only see God face to face and enjoy "a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven" (2 Corinthians 5:1) -- but he'll also pray for *us* with more power than ever.

We weep because we are, for a time -- possibly a very long time -- separated.

Yet another example of a both/and proposition rather than an either/or one. Yet another wonderful and wondrous thing about being Catholic.

[Andy K.]

The CBC made a DVD about the Pope's visit and WYD'02. I can never get through that one without crying because of his love for children. He hugged one girl with Down's syndrome, I think. I always weep there. It is so beautiful. The Holy Father and this girl.

[Jay Anderson]

I was a big fan of John Paul II for 2 decades before I ever became Catholic. He's a major reason I became Catholic. I'm honored to have entered the Church on his watch.

Rest in Peace, Holy Father.

[Richard]

Hello Amy,

Well said.

I was eight when the Holy Father was elected. He's really the only Pope I ever knew - and that's just as well given the state of anxiety the Church was in October 1978.

I can't name one thing. There are so many. Our loss is heaven's gain.

[Anna]

Thank you, Amy, for giving us all a place to come to - it is like being in part of a warm embrace.

I saw John Paul II as an 8 year old child when he came to Boston; my parents took me to see his motorcade pass.

I am humbled and shamed by our beloved Pope's example. I am such a coward. Faith, hope and love - did he not personify these virtues? I think about how the Apostles must have felt when Our Lord died on the cross...imagine how bereft they must have felt. Yet the Holy Spirit came to them, as He will come to us.

How can tears be expressive of grief, joy, shame, hope, love and gratitude all at once? Yet they are.

John Paul II may you find rest in the arms of Our Lord. God Bless You.

[Kathleen]

Amy:

That wasy beautiful.

Exactly.

I also hope the media attempts to figure out why this effects not only Catholics but all of the many others who pray for this great man, and why.

[Laura]

I was twelve when JP 2 became Pope, surely the Pope of my lifetime. When my beloved grandmother died, at 90, in her bed at home, a death she couldn't have scripted more to her will, I acted as though a 10 year old had been hit by a bus. It is hard to lose a beloved. As a poet said, "It is Margaret you mourn for". I mourn my loss, the loss of my sweet Holy Father. Not so much for the Pope, who is surely with the angels. My loss, for my Papa who taught me so much about my faith. God bless the Pope, Viva Papa!

[Lisa]

Pope John Paul II was Hashem's (G_D)manifestion on earth. His words were true and touched all. I feel truly blessed as a human being for living in time when this great man walked the earth. I am neither Catholic nor Christian I am a Noahide and yet his message touched me deeply.
You never fully see the impact on humanity until you loose something. In the passing of this great man of G_d we see what we all have lost.
1. A Father to the Catholic Church
2. A leader Truly touched by Hashem himself
3. A citizen of the world
I mourn this man John Paul II with tears for the world at his passing and tears of joy that he is with our Creator.
Let not his life's message die and let his light go out from this world and the bridges that he built between the Faiths of Children of Abraham ever be destoryed.
The true religion is love be the best Christian, Jew or Muslim you can be.... John Paul II

[Ascend]

No comment on this - just another faboulous try!

CU soon

[WesleyWes]

His Unitarian Universalist teachings are very interesting.

Thankyou,
WesleyWes
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Noahite

[Rosemarie]

+J.M.J+

>>>His Unitarian Universalist teachings are very interesting.

Riiiiiiiiiiiight. As if JPII denied the Trinity and original sin. GoAT.

In Jesu et Maria,