John Paul the Great

Monday was the 2nd anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death. I personally consider JPII to be a great man. I remember when he was elected Pope, my grandmother and my father's family were very happy to have a Polish Pope. I was very little, 8 or 9 years old, and it was an exciting event.

Two years ago when he died, I watched a lot of the coverage of his suffering and his death. There was a lot of things on tv about his life, and I learned a lot about the man I didn't know or hadn't payed attention to. At the time, it had a big impact on me because it brought me closer to my former faith than I had been in years. At that time I almost ended back in the church, but for some reason at the time I just didn't do it.

At the time, though, all the info about JPII on tv and the net and the papers was very enlightening to me. I learned a great deal about what JPII did to help conquer Communism and the whole eastern block. I learned about how much JPII valued the youth of today and took great strides to connect with them. How he pursued healing with the Jews, and called for a new understanding between all christians and a more ecumenical attitude among christians. He was tireless in his job, and traveled more than any other Pope in history. My only regret was that I never got a chance to see him in person.

But mostly what I learned about JPII was that he was a kind, and gentle, and loving, and holy man. He was truly a servant of the Lord. I think that all JPII as a man, as a catholic Priest wanted was to stay in his home of Poland and work for his people to free them from the Soviet oppression. This was a man that lived through oppression first under the Nazis, then the Soviets. All he wanted was to teach his faith, let his people worship in freedom. Yet for years and years the Polish people were oppressed and not allowed that freedom, the freedom to freely worship. He worked hard to become a priest and build churches and teach people of Jesus. He had a profound faith in Jesus, despite what he went through in his life.

I think JPII suffered greatly for becoming a Pope. I know that sounds crazy, but in order to become Pope and do the job he did, he had to truly give of himself. He had to give up all that he was, all his dreams and ambitions, all of his plans and desires, and serve the world. Instead of doing his work, he did the work of the church, the work of Jesus Christ. Just like scripture said about God emptying himself and becoming man, in Jesus incarnate, and suffering for His people sacrificing Himself on the cross for man. JPII the man emptied himself and became John Paul II, servant of the Lord.

One of the saddest things I watched about JPII was his first trip back to Poland after becoming the Pope. He returned triumphantly, defying the Communist authorities, and the people came out to greet him and celebrate him. Yet he could not revel in it, or enjoy the turnout, or celebrate the demonstration of catholic faith. He was a sad man because he knew his place was not in his country with his people. He knew that he belonged to the world now. I believe God worked through the Pope to help crumble communism and free the Polish people so that they could worship Jesus. Despite this, JPII was a sad man because he could not be with his people and enjoy the unleashing of the yolk of oppression. He belonged to the world and emptied himself to do God's work.

When JPII left Poland after his first visit, he wept because he had to leave his people. Seeing that affected me profoundly, and still makes me want to cry when I think of it.

I often think that protestants believe that the Pope and the Church strive to keep themselves in power and make dumb laws and traditions to keep people from God. And I often think many Catholics believe this as well. After seeing JPII and his example of papacy, I can't help but vehemently deny this. Anyone who sees how JPII suffered, how he wept at leaving his people behind, would understand that's not true. For he gained nothing in this world of personal gain by becoming the Pope, yet he emptied himself for the gain of God. Just as Peter gave his life to found the church and do Jesus' work. The leader of the catholic church is not concerned with controlling people or telling them what to do, personal gain or wealth. He is only concerned with fullfilling Jesus' command to the Apostles.

The problem lies, when man is involved, and man is more concerned with fitting the church into him. We should all be like Pope John Paul II, and find ways to fit the church, Jesus, God, into us. To serve God, we must empty ourselves and make ourselves a vessel for Him. As Jesus says, we cannot serve 2 masters. When judgement comes, which master will you follow?