St. John Paul the Great, Week 5

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was waiting for this particular saint.  Being one of those people born in the 1900s, Pope John Paul was the only pope I had known until well into my adult life.  I remember when he visited New Orleans.  I remember when he spoke about communism.  I remember he died because I didn’t think he ever would. (Surely the pope lives forever, right?)  I remember watching his funeral procession on TV, and I especially remember watching my first conclave and learning as much about how the process works as possible.  But what I remember most about St. John Paul the Great was how he embodied the example that Christ set for us. 

As I prepare myself for this week’s reflection, I am keeping Fr. Michael Vidrine’s reflection question in mind. "When will you take ownership of your call to serve boldly?"

Take in a deep breath.  Breathe out slowly.  Breathe in again, letting the tension in your shoulders relax as you exhale.  Breath in deeply one final time, allowing the breath of God, Life itself, to fill your lungs. Slowly releasing all doubts and worries as you exhale.  Ask God to be with you in this space and time and to open your heart to what it is He wants to show you today. As I take in one final deep breath, I pray, “Lord, show me how you want me to serve you.”  Then exhale any doubts and fears that may block His voice from reaching my ears.

Give yourself a minute to list out any joys, graces, or challenges you were faced with this past week.  Offer them up to God as prayers of thanksgiving or as sacrifices. Thank God for them all and offer them up either in thanksgiving or as a sacrifice.  Place them at His feet with trust that He has your best interest in mind.

That reflection question is a convicting one for me.  It’s almost like Jesus placed both hands on my shoulders and gently shook me awake.  In that one question, he was asking many more.

“I need you.  When will you find confidence in that?”

“When will you trust me?  Have I not shown you that I have your best interest in mind?”

“What are you afraid of?  I am here with you.”

“What are you waiting for?  I will make sure you have what you need.”

These questions are exactly what I needed to ask myself.  Using St. John Paul II as my example, I realize that what is really missing is a sense of urgency.  I have had a very lassaiz-faire attitude toward serving others.  I’ll do it when…

I finish this semester.

I’m done with the birthday party.

It warms up a little more.

The pollening is over.

The kids are older.

I’m able to retire.

JPII didn’t have that mindset.  He took action.  Yes, sometimes great action; but many times it was the small actions that made the real difference.  If you go back and look at the sketch of him on p.25, you can see the kindness in his eyes, the joy in his smile, the gentleness in his hands.  Those are all from doing the work of Jesus Christ.  By smiling at someone at the grocery store, waving to my neighbor when I check the mail, and playing games with my nieces and nephews, I am showing them the love of Christ.

Jesus shows me his presence and love every day – in the flowers that are blooming everywhere, in the rain that falls, in the clover that is growing in the yard.  I can thank God for them by stopping to smell the flowers, by dancing in the rain, by searching for 4 leaf clovers. 

I can take that a step further and use those things to serve others.  I can bring a few daisies to brighten a friend’s day.  I can let people see my joy as I jump in the puddles after the rain. I can even invite them to join in!  I can listen to my daughter tell me about her rough day as we make crowns out of clover flowers. 

All of these things make a difference.  And the more I do them, the more I get comfortable doing them, them more confidence I build to do the bigger things like speaking up when I see unkindness to others or volunteer at the library.  Who knows, maybe that’ll grow into serving and visiting with the lunch guests at the local soup kitchen.  The point is that it doesn’t matter how big your service is.  It only matters that you serve.  What that service develops into is up to God.  He will handle the details.

Going into deeper reflection using the crest of St. John Paul the Great, I am reminded of his motto, “Totus Tuus.”  He fully lived as being totally Christ’s.  The love of Christ within him was so strong, the world knew that he was a living saint and that it wouldn’t take long for him to be officially recognized as one.

Taking in the rest of the crest, I am reminded of how the roots of our youth and upbringing impact our Catholic expression.  I am reminded of the dignity of the human person and the human body.  I am reminded of the great need for faith and hope in adversity, and I am reminded of the importance of spreading the Gospel, especially through service.

Heavenly Father, you called Pope St. John Paul the Great to serve with boldness, love, and an unwavering trust in You. As I reflect on his life and his crest, I ask for the grace to respond to your call in my life. May I shine as a light in the world, sharing your truth and love, and giving glory to you in all that I do. Amen.

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