Sunday Morning beatified in Rome to John Paul II . Personally I feel compelled to bring here the homily that our Antonio Pernia delivered in Rome on the eve of the funeral of the Pope, 2005. Because I consider it invaluable both as panegyric of the saint blessed, as a reflection for each of us, pilgrims on the common era. Dear confreres
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this week, early morning, some of us went to visit the grave. The guards were not just a handful. Nor were terrified, as narrated in the gospel. In fact they were alert and on guard. There were also youth. Not only a "young man wrapped in a white robe" (MC16, 5), but millions of youth with backpacks. The guards did not have to ask: Who are you looking? They knew from the first moment we came to see Pope John Paul II. And we found in the basilica. At least their remains. Because he has returned to the Father's house and now share the resurrection with the Lord.
But who was John Paul II? In recent days much has been said about him and in the coming days will tell even more about his life, his pontificate and his death. I do not know if tonight we need to say something more to what is already a torrent of words. So tonight maybe a little reflection is enough about this pope. A shared discussion from our point of view SVD. Who was John Paul II to us DPS? Who was John Paul II seen "SVD eyes"?
In this context we must use an expression used by a journalist in recent days and evoke the image of John Paul II not only as the successor of Peter, the first pastor, but also of Paul the great missionary. Therefore, a reflection on the missionary commitment of this pope, as he himself said in his election 26 years ago, was a Pope who came from afar.
First, the commitment of John Paul II with the mission in his activities and actions .
One can think here immediately made many trips to different parts of the world. It appears that there were a total of 104 trips to over 130 countries. Experts say those trips come together to give 29 times around the earth. The figure of Paul and his many missionary journeys we come easily to mind. The Acts of the Apostles speak of his travels, creating and encouraging local churches in the principles of Christianity. But perhaps more important than this is the dialogue that John Paul II promoted with other religions and other Christian churches. It was the first pope to visit a Jewish synagogue, the first to enter a Muslim mosque, the first Pope to preach in a Protestant church. This openness to other religions reached its climax with an invitation to all leaders of religions in the world to celebrate the "Day of Peace" in Assisi in 1986 and 2002. And just like Paul, spoke in several Areopagus of the modern world: the United Nations, the Italian Parliament, in Auschwitz, at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, the young in many celebrations of World Youth Day. Also assumed the defense of the poor and suffering in Africa, Latin America and Asia. And most important for us, SVD, he canonized three Saints missionaries whom he called "three champions of evangelization": Daniel Comboni, Arnold Janssen and Joseph Freinademetz.
Secondly, the commitment of John Paul II with the mission in his teachings and writings .
Here one should mention especially his encyclical "Redemptoris Missio" that stressed "the continuing validity of the Church's missionary mandate." I know that some elements of this encyclical does not include approval of some in the Catholic Church and among many members of other religions and Christian churches. But I think that this encyclical he gave a fresh impetus to the mission 'ad gentes' in the new millennium. His other writings also always refer to the participation of all in the mission of the Church: the Christian family, laity, consecrated men and women, priests, bishops, youth. He spoke of a new springtime for the Church's mission (RM 2) and in his homily at the canonization of the three holy missionaries insisted that the proclamation of the Gospel continues to be "the first service that the Church can render to every individual and all humanity. "
Third, the missionary efforts of John Paul II in his vision of the Church and the world .
An important aspect of the missionary commitment of John Paul II have opened the church is even more to the world. This opening of the Church to the world was one of the fundamental insights of Vatican II. We find it especially in the Council document "Gaudium et Spes" in the wording of which helped Archbishop Karol Wojtyla. Pope John Paul II is inspired by this intuition reconcile. He had a vision of the Church as a community deeply involved in world affairs, a Church never separated or closed to the world, a Church that works with others in the defense of human rights and the creation of a new culture peace, solidarity and communion. His first encyclical already told us this direction. The "Redemptor Hominis "puts human beings at the center of attention and service of the Church. In his opening statement now uttered the unforgettable words: "Be not afraid, open the doors to Christ. Yes, open your doors wide to Christ. " This opening of the Church to the world and the world to the church was a recurrent theme
Pope John Paul II. This was also the center of its commitment to the mission. And he closed the circle with the apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" with the words "duc in altum" (sail out to sea). In this perspective, John Paul II seemed to embrace the whole world. Thus, his influence was felt not only in the Church but also in the world. Seemed to have had a responsibility not only the Church but also outside it, that is, in civil society. Was seen not only as a leader of the Catholic Church but as a world leader. And the world responded positively, adopting it as a world citizen and accepted it as the moral voice of the world. Thus, when he died six days ago, everyone felt a void. In the words of Cardinal Angelo Sodano at Mass the day after his death, "everyone feels orphaned." And tomorrow's funeral will be an occasion for the meeting of the world. This universal vision of John Catholic Paul II finds an echo in today's readings in the "new heaven and new earth" of the first reading, "the first day of the week" of the resurrection in the gospel reading. And, as Cardinal Camillo Ruini said at the Mass celebrated in the evening before he died Pope John Paul II already sees and touches this new world of Revelation, this new day of resurrection.
However, ultimately we would not have said anything about John Paul II if we did not say anything about their faith in Christ, this faith in Christ was the foundation of everything he did and taught. It was a faith of Polish features (if our beloved Polish confreres I may say so). Ie a faith that was firm, strong and faithful. As we know, John Paul II as pope would not resign, even though his health, because "Christ did not leave the cross." A faith to the end. Fidelity to the muerte.Asà we can say that nine-thirty and seven of Saturday April 2, 2005, the Lord himself took the cross from Juan Pablo II. It seems that the Lord said to his faithful servant, "Enough, Juan Pablo II. You have served me well, you've suffered enough 'Then it was left in the hands of Mary, of which he was so devoted ("Totus tuus") and in the arms of these young people made him awake all night in Plaza de San Pedro. And so, the next day, the second Sunday Easter, began to share the new life of the risen Lord.
remains with God, John Paul II. And thanks. Thank you for being with us as the successor of Peter and Paul. Thank you for being for us the pastor of the Church and the Apostle of the Gentiles. Hope you'll hear the Lord's words: "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Mt 25, 21).
Fraternally in the Divine Word, Antonio M.
Pernia, SVD, Superior General
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