"The Spirit God has given you does not make you a slave or cause you to be afraid" (Rom. 8:14)

"Do not be worried and upset" (John 14: 1) "I am the way and the truth and the life" says the Lord. (John 14:6)

Since his death on April 2, throughout the world, people who share our Catholic Faith, people of other religious faiths and people of no faith, have been united in expressing their grief at the death of Pope John Paul II. He, who in life had been called by some the great communicator, in death, is communicating some powerful truths to the entire world. I have been mesmerized by the in depth coverage being given by the media to the rituals surrounding the pope's funeral. The richness of our faith tradition and the prayer life of the Church are being viewed and explained on a world wide scale, in a manner never done before. As his body lay in state in St. Peter's Basilica, mourners in the millions came to stand in line to pay their respects. His funeral was attended by heads of state, and ordinary pilgrims, by Catholics, representatives of other religions and people of no religion, perhaps even some who were just curiosity seekers, or who just happened to be in Rome and wanted to be there for this historic event. It has been said that together their numbers exceeded the population of Rome. Counting those who watched on television or tuned in via other media, billions "were there" for his funeral mass.

Certainly this pope, like no other, has had a global impact. He has been a bridge builder, a diplomat, a world traveler, a freedom fighter, champion of the poor, a voice of moral conscience, a humble pilgrim and penitent. He certainly was no shrinking violet, no reed shaken in the wind, no wishy washy, fair weather disciple. People's reactions to him were equally decisive, strongly pro or con. Perhaps caught up in the grandeur of the funeral ritual and emotions of the moment, people in the crowds held banners and shouted, "Santo Subito" (Italian for "sainthood immediately"). Surely there are many good people who didn't agree with some of what John Paul taught, or didn't teach or how he approached certain issues, (as Blessed Pope John XXIII wrote about St. Pius X, 'even a saint can be blind to some things.') Nevertheless whether in agreement or not, all would attest to his personal holiness, passionate love of God and dedication to the Virgin Mary (Totus Tuus on his coat of arms)

News reporters and pollsters have been questioning people as to what impact has John Paul's life had on them? What most impressed them about him? What difference has he made in their lives? I'm sure our answers to such questions would vary.

As we have been offering our prayers, commending him to God, it occurs to me, surely this man doesn't need us to commend him to the God he had served throughout his life. I believe he sees God face to face, for, if he wasn't welcomed into heaven, then I wouldn't hold much hope for our chances. In conversation with some of our parishioners, I was struck with this insight, that the greatest tribute we could pay to the memory of Pope John Paul 11 is that many of the truths this pope so passionately believed in, lived, taught and preached, should be expressed in our fives.

Forgiveness: remember how he went to the jail cell to forgive his would be assassin, how he publicly asked pardon for the crimes of hatred and bigotry committed by our Church against Jews and others. Is there someone who has injured or offended you? Can you and will you forgive them? How about people you may have hurt or offended, have you asked for forgiveness? When was the last time you celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation?

Courage: he fought Fascism, stood up to Communism, spoke out against war, even after the attempted assassination, he didn't hide, but went about in public, refused to wear a bullet proof vest during his trip to Poland. Again and again in his preaching he exhorted us do not be afraid, with agony etched on his face, he struggled to give his Easter blessing, though he couldn't speak, he blessed us, and in his silence spoke eloquently. Does fear of rejection, or being unpopular prevent you from speaking the truth? Can you choose not to laugh at or encourage telling jokes that feed bigotry and racial prejudice? How do you handle inconveniences, pain and suffering?

Championed the cause of justice for the poor, Made the culture of life his cause, a lover of all humanity, he taught that the strong should protect the weak,: there is a web site linked to our parish web site, whereby you can feed the hungry just by pressing a button, http://www.thehungersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites ; send a post card to your senators urging them not to support Roe vs. Wade, but know that being pro life means much more than being anti abortion; it concerns capital punishment, injustice, war and violence, responsible stewardship of resources, respect for the environment, Who needs your protection, your word of support or affirmation?

Prayer: Prayer must be at the heart of who we are as disciples of Jesus. Is your worship of God something you "fit in" if your schedule allows, or can you make it a priority? When you start your day, do you ever ask God to walk with you throughout the day and be part of your conversations and meetings with others? Have you thought about becoming a member of a Small Church Community? http://goodshepherdonline.com/pastoralfacilitator/index.html

The media is fickle. Today the cameras, the reporters, the pollsters and commentators are off chasing the latest headline makers. The funeral of the pope is yesterday's news. Will that be true for you and me too?

The gospel read at the Pope's funeral (John 21:15-19 http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/john/john21.htm) ended with Jesus saying to Peter, "Follow me!" John Paul II heroically and passionately did just that throughout his life. In honoring his memory, how will you answer that invitation of Jesus, "Follow me!", in the circumstances of your life?

Your brother in Christ,