John Paul II and Jesus Christ

I am suggesting that Jesus has walked among us again, in the person of John Paul II. You can be sure that he did not grow up with the intention of being Pope one day! He was 58 years old before he knew he was destined for such a high honour. No doubt, from his very early years, there was something 'special' about him. It seems as if he was chosen right from the beginning to become the extraordinary and saintly man that we all now mourn. Jesus didn't get to live that length. From the very beginning, I'm sure many people, and especially His mother Mary, saw something very 'special' in Him. Just as John Paul II came to understand all the ramifications of his life and mission, so it was with Jesus. He did not know that He was the Messiah, no more than John Paul II prepared and planned for the day when he would become Pope. Despite the 'extraordinary', everybody was struck by the 'ordinary' in the lives of both men. Both were fearless and courageous in speaking and following the truth. On more than one occasion there was an attempt made on both their lives. Jesus was rescued from being stoned to death, or being thrown down a cliff, by the care of His Heavenly Father. John Paul II was saved from the assassin's bullets, and the plans of a deranged priest in Fatima, by the care of his Heavenly Mother.

Both were labelled as 'conservative' because they refused to compromise the truth, and to tell people what those people wanted to hear. Both succeeded in comforting the afflicted, and afflicting the comfortable! Both grew up in countries under oppression, either by the Romans or the Russians. Both spoke of a freedom that could be achieved, despite all the burdens and pressures of life. They were both brilliant teachers, and they both travelled constantly to bring a message of hope to those in darkness. They were single-minded in their mission, and they sought only the glory of God, and the good of His people.

Both had to face Gethsemane, and both had to carry a cross. In a way, both of them died a very public death, and, at the time, they each left a void that seemed impossible to fill. But NOW they are together, both of them sharing the glory of the Father. John Paul would never like to hear himself compared to Jesus, but it must be obvious to him now that he was destined to share an important part in the mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus led the way, and divided the waters, and John Paul followed Him faithfully in every step he took. When Jesus died on Calvary, a Roman soldier exclaimed, "Indeed this was the Son of God". When Pope John Paul died, many who had no interest in him in life, were heard to exclaim, "Indeed, this was a good man". Both of them lived and died in the hope of Resurrection. Again and again, each was heard to say, "Be not afraid." John Paul was deprived of his earthly parents at a very early age, so he fully accepted as his own the Father and Mother of Jesus Himself. They were full-blooded brothers, who shared a common mission, and who now share eternal glory.

Over the centuries, Jesus has continued to walk among us in the guise of many saintly souls. He spoke to us again through Francis of Assisi, Therese of Lisieux, or Padre Pio, as each of these chosen ones gave particular emphasis to gospels truths. He walked among the poor and the lepers in Damien of Molokai or Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and He paid the supreme sacrifice for speaking His truth in Archbishop Romero, and in the many other martyrs in our downtrodden countries. Jesus has walked among us again in Pope John II. We were truly blessed to have witnessed his life, to have heard his words, and to have accompanied him in death. Such souls are sent so that we might imitate them, rather than admire them. John Paul continues to speak to us these days, and it is never too late to listen. He has shaken off the coils of his mortality, but he is certainly not free from his responsibility to the Church, and to those who come to him for direction and for hope. In many ways, his REAL work has just begun, and, as it was during his life, we are now invited to be united with him as we follow on behind him.

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