FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME ST JOHN PAUL II OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OCTOBER 22, 2021

May 18, 1920-April 2, 2005

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Jn 21:15-17

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

REFLECTION

"Feed my sheep."

It was a time when my faith gave way to the pursuit of worldly things. God and His love were left behind. Then in 1978 came Karol Josef Wojtyla—Pope John Paul II. He was charismatic, had a strong physical presence and a beautiful inviting warm smile.

In his homily at the Mass for his installation he said, “Open wide the doors to Christ“. These words would echo in my mind for many years.

His apostolic zeal brought him to interfaith initiatives, establishing diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel and improving relations with Muslims.

He was the first non Italian pope. Having struggled with communist Poland, through his efforts the collapse of communism in Poland happened.

There were many accomplishments in his 27 years of papacy.

The great Jubilee of the Year 2000 celebrations brought Catholics and other Christians together. For World Youth Day, he travelled to many countries growing and reinforcing the faith and love of Jesus in the Catholic youth.

In 1981 Mehmet Ali Agca attempted to kill Pope John Paul II. He was shot in St Peter’s Square in full view of cameras and recorded in history. The Pope hailed his miracle of life to Our Lady of Fatima and put the bullet in her crown in Fatima.

In 1983 he met face to face with his attempted assassin and forgave him. He asked the Italian courts to pardon his assailant.

For 27 years, the pope was part of our lives. His message of love, trust in the Lord, “do not fear” helped many to believe that "Christ is the center of the universe and of human history". (John Paul II)

In his last years, he suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. In spite of this infirmity, he was able to perform his duties as best he could. He personified divine mercy.

Pope John Paul II wrote 14 encyclicals, 5 books, canonized 482 saints and beatified 1338 people.

On May 5, 2000, five days after the canonization of St Faustina, the Vatican decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday,

On the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday 2005, John Paul II died. He was canonized on April 27, 2014.

”Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn’t misuse it.” (Saint Pope John Paul II)

God bless you.