杏MAP导航 Francis: St John Paul II a man of prayer, closeness, justice
By Christopher Wells
杏MAP导航 Francis celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of St John Paul II by offering Holy Mass at the altar where the Polish 杏MAP导航 is buried in St Peter鈥檚 Basilica.
Joined by a very limited number of the faithful, the liturgy on Monday morning was the first Mass open to the public after almost two months of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lord has visited His People
杏MAP导航 Francis began his homily by reminding us that God loves His People, and in times of difficulty 鈥渧isits鈥� them by sending a holy man or a prophet.
In the life of 杏MAP导航 John Paul II, we can see a man sent by God, prepared by Him, and made Bishop and 杏MAP导航 to guide God鈥檚 Church. 鈥淭oday, we can say that the Lord visited His people鈥�.
A man of prayer
杏MAP导航 Francis focused on three particular traits that marked the life of John Paul II: prayer, closeness, and mercy.
Despite his many duties as 杏MAP导航, John Paul II always found time to pray. 鈥淗e knew well that the first task of the bishop is to pray鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, noting that this is the teaching of St Peter in the Acts of the Apostles. 鈥淭he first task of the bishop is to pray鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 repeated. John Paul 鈥渒new this, and did it鈥�.
Close to the people
St John Paul II was also close to the people, not detached or separated from them, but travelling the whole world to seek them out.
Already in the Old Testament, we can see how God was uniquely close to His People. This closeness culminated in the Incarnation, when Jesus Himself dwelt among His people.
John Paul followed the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, drawing near to both the great and the small, to those close by and those physically far away.
Merciful justice
Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, St John Paul II was remarkable for his love of justice. But his love for justice was a desire for justice completed by mercy. And so John Paul was also a man of mercy, 鈥渂ecause justice and mercy go together鈥�. John Paul, who did so much to promote the Divine Mercy devotion, believed that God鈥檚 justice 鈥渉ad this face of mercy, this attitude of mercy.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his homily with the prayer that the Lord might grant to all of us, and especially to pastors, the grace of prayer, of closeness, and the grace of justice in mercy, and merciful justice.
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