On Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis canonized two modern Popes as Saints- John XXIII and John Paul II. You probably heard about this, as it was a major news item. But what does this have to do with any of us, really?
Saints (with a capital "S") are those the Church proclaims to be in heaven. They lived a life centered on Christ, a life that should be modeled by others. Saints are people we can look to and say "THAT is the sort of life I should live..." This is especially true of our two newest Saints.
John XXIII was an unlikely choice to be Pope. Old and near the end of his life when elected, few expected him to really do anything dramatic. But shortly after he was named Pope, he announced that the Church needed a breath of fresh air, that it needed to "open the windows" to the modern world. And so, he convened the Second Vatican Council. The Council provided 20th century explanations of Catholic teaching, and helped better define what we Catholics should be focused on doing.
John XXIII was known as a simple, humble, and joyful man, who had a powerful vision for the Church. We can certainly learn a lot from him. John XXIII didn't care what others expected from him....he cared about what GOD expected from him. The same should be true of us....we should focus on what God wants of us, not other people!
John Paul II is the third longest reigning Pope in Church history. He grew up in the shadow of World War II, and in his native Poland felt its effects. After he was named Pope, he was instrumental in bringing down communism in many countries.
John Paul II was a mobile Pope...he traveled the world, going many places Pope's had never been. He wrote A LOT, and gave us all so much to think about. He defended the Church's teachings, while providing better explanations for them.
We can learn a lot from JPII. Did you know that we was shot shortly after he was named Pope? And did you know that he went to the prison and forgave the man who shot him? It isn't east to forgive....we can learn the importance of forgiveness from John Paul II.
The canonization of these two Popes shouldn't be just a news item...I encourage you to learn more about them. What about their life was Saintly? What can I learn from them?
Sts. John XXIII and John Paul II, pray for us!
God Bless,
Brett
Saints (with a capital "S") are those the Church proclaims to be in heaven. They lived a life centered on Christ, a life that should be modeled by others. Saints are people we can look to and say "THAT is the sort of life I should live..." This is especially true of our two newest Saints.
John XXIII was an unlikely choice to be Pope. Old and near the end of his life when elected, few expected him to really do anything dramatic. But shortly after he was named Pope, he announced that the Church needed a breath of fresh air, that it needed to "open the windows" to the modern world. And so, he convened the Second Vatican Council. The Council provided 20th century explanations of Catholic teaching, and helped better define what we Catholics should be focused on doing.
John XXIII was known as a simple, humble, and joyful man, who had a powerful vision for the Church. We can certainly learn a lot from him. John XXIII didn't care what others expected from him....he cared about what GOD expected from him. The same should be true of us....we should focus on what God wants of us, not other people!
John Paul II is the third longest reigning Pope in Church history. He grew up in the shadow of World War II, and in his native Poland felt its effects. After he was named Pope, he was instrumental in bringing down communism in many countries.
John Paul II was a mobile Pope...he traveled the world, going many places Pope's had never been. He wrote A LOT, and gave us all so much to think about. He defended the Church's teachings, while providing better explanations for them.
We can learn a lot from JPII. Did you know that we was shot shortly after he was named Pope? And did you know that he went to the prison and forgave the man who shot him? It isn't east to forgive....we can learn the importance of forgiveness from John Paul II.
The canonization of these two Popes shouldn't be just a news item...I encourage you to learn more about them. What about their life was Saintly? What can I learn from them?
Sts. John XXIII and John Paul II, pray for us!
God Bless,
Brett