Repost from Xanga

On April 16, 2006, I posted this on Resurrection Sunday on my Xanga. I just felt like reposting it here, typos and all:

Tonight, on the evening of the end of Holy Week, I sit watching "The Last Days of Pope John Paul II" on CNN. I am reminded now, as I laugh and cry, why again, I loved this man to a level as I have loved no other than my Savior. (Though obviously I love Christ more.)

You see, this Pope was one reason I have never completely lost my faith. He was a man. He had flaws, he had a sense of humor, he sinned, and he suffered greatly in his later years. Yet, he never lost his faith.

Perhaps these verses crossed his mind, perhaps not. "When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you" (Psalms 34:18), "One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes, and I'll take away the pain you have suffered on this earth." (Revelations 21: 3-4)

Before death he said, "Allow me to go to the House of the Father"...I only hope on my own deathbed, I have the same devotion, the same resolve, and the same willingness to surrender myself unto God's Will.

Why do I write this? I write, because I am compelled to write. I am compelled to remember the Servant of Servants. I am made to think of a man of God who was respected beyond his religion; a man who in death brought together hated enemies. Jews, Muslims, Patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodoxy...alongside those who would scream there is no God; brought together for a funeral of one they respected.

In death, he continued to do the Lord's Work, bringing these into dialogue. In the funeral, and following Interregnum, the media of the world was focused on the Vatican City. While there was talk of politics, there was also talk of God, and of love...and one must remember 1 John 4:16, "I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love."

You see God is not a Cosmic Killjoy, God is not a psychotic smiter, God is not vengeance incarnate...God is Love, God is Kindness, God is Compassion, God is Justice, God is a being of humor, and God is our hope and joy.

God used John Paul II to reach out to those not conventionally ready to listen. A strict conservative on matters of doctrine and dogma, but willing to be subservient to others needs. He was subservient especially to the youth of the world, knowing them to be the future of the Church -- not just the Roman Catholic one; but the Church, the Body of Christ. He reached out to the world youth as no other Pope has before...and his reach was felt, drawing crowds of more than a million almost everywhere he went.

He was a good Servant, he lived his faith; he followed the example of Christ. He is now in his Father's house, but he is not alone there, for so is the Son; as the angel told Mary and Mary Magdalene in Matthew 28:5-6, "Don't be frightened! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified, but he isn't here! For he has come back to life again, just as he said he would..."

That is the reason we celebrate. For the Son of God is Risen! For our forgiven sins, bought with the Sacrifice of the Son. For those who believe, we are followers of Christ, we are Christian, we are catholic (small c). May we always remember the blessed miracle of our Salvation!