HOME
What's New at Conception Abbey?
Conception Abbey
Conception Seminary
College
Location
Giving Gateway
Abbey Guest Center
Printery House
Events
Prayer Schedule
Oblates
Spiritual Reading
Links |
Back to Table of Contents
The Transitus of Pope John Paul II
Abbot Gregory Polan delivered the following homily April 6, 2005 at a memorial Mass for John Paul II.
Readings: Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter; Acts 5:17-26 (Ps 34); John 3:16-21
These past days we have heard a variety of names and titles given to our now deceased Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He has been called the Pilgrim Pope, the Bridge Builder, a Champion of human freedom, a moral teacher, a faithful servant of God, the People’s Pope, Witness to a culture of life, a Hero for all ages, Defender of the faith, a friend to the poor. All of these names and titles come from people who have experienced his leadership either close-up or from afar. They are a testament to his dedicated ministry as Shepherd of the flock of God.
Our Scripture readings this evening would suggest another title, not yet heard among these, but one that gives us another insight into both his call and our call as baptized Christians. It is Disciple. And while we might first think, “no, not Disciple, but Master,” did Jesus not clarify that question without qualification? “Let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? Yet I am among you as one who serves” (Lk 22:26-27). And again, “You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn 13:13-15). These two passages from St. Luke and St. John come from the context of the Last Supper, Jesus’ final testament to his followers, his disciples. Indeed, Jesus is both Master and Disciple. However, we have missed the point of the gospels if we have failed to see how Jesus himself was the first and the model disciple of the Heavenly Father. Hearing the word of God in the sacred texts of the Old Testament, allowing those holy words to remain in his heart, using those sacred words when at prayer, following the bidding of the Spirit given at his baptism, and then living those sacred promptings and inspirations in fidelity and truth, all show us how Jesus was the Model Disciple. Schooled in divine wisdom, Jesus followed God’s holy bidding without reserve.
That same spirit of discipleship was at work in the apostles as heard in Acts: they had been told not to teach in the temple area, and then were secretly freed from prison by an angel; then the text tells us, “When they heard this [message of the angel], they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.” They followed God’s command; there was no chaining the word of God. And the gospel this evening concludes with an expression of Jesus that strengthens the disciple to live in fidelity: “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (Jn 3:21). The disciple follows the lead of God. And in the end, it is not the disciple’s work that is done, but God’s. How perfectly Jesus himself has shown us that; and how wondrously John Paul has shown us that grace active in his teaching, his work, and his living example.
How was it that even people who thought differently, believed differently, and acted differently from him, saw in Pope John Paul a witness that was authentic? The words of this evening’s gospel answer that question: “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (Jn 3:21). John Paul’s agenda was God’s agenda. As he saw the gospel lived out by Jesus, he took that on as his own way. John Paul possessed a unique warmth and charm, as Jesus did. He exhibited welcome to all, as Jesus did. He showed the world a deep wisdom and a renewed humanity, as Jesus did. He loved the little and forgotten ones of this world, as Jesus did. He patiently bore the sufferings of a weakened and broken body, as Jesus did. He brought forgiveness and reconciliation to the waiting sinner, as Jesus did. He could meet with friend or foe and bring peace, as Jesus did. That is the model of a Model Disciple. Pope John Paul has left us many things, but maybe his greatest personal legacy to us, his brothers and sisters, was the manner of his discipleship, for in it he fulfilled the words of today’s gospel: “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (Jn 3:21). May his manner of discipleship, whole-hearted service in the spirit of the gospel, live on in each of us.
We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org
Back to Table of Contents
|
