My personal tribute to John Paul II, one of the greatest men of the modern era.
I had the honor of seeing this pope ten years ago during the world youth day celebrations in Manila. First, along Roxas Blvd where he paraded in his popemobile from NAIA to the Papal Nunciature. It was just a glimpse. But time stood still. I don't know, but there is a certain serenity that you feel while he passes by, amidst the cheering of the crowd. You just feel peace emanating from him. The second time was under the LRT station fronting the Nunciature along Taft Avenue. We've been there since 2:30 in the morning and he made his appearance at the balcony around 9am. It was one of my most tiring experiences but it was worthwhile. I may not agree with most of the Catholic Church's teachings, but still, this is my Pope... an icon of greatness.
For most of us this Pope was the only Pontiff we've known all our lives. He was not just a spiritual leader, Patriarch of the West, but he is, as CNN Commentators dubbed him --- A Pop Star.
Yes, John Paul is an icon of the modern times, crossing the threshold of the old days with the 21 century. Most of us Filipinos believe that the People Power Revolution began in EDSA, but in truth, it began in Karol's native Poland, when the Solidarity Movement paved the way for the destruction of the Communist Regime. He was the Pope who inspired the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iron Curtain and the rest of the Soviet Block.
John Paul was the first Pontiff to travel extensively around the world, in stark contrast with his predecessors, who remained within the cloisters of the Vatican, and who mostly travelled not beyond the outskirts of Rome.
He was the second Pope who utilized well mass-media. The First was John XXIII. He was the Pope of the people.He was the first Pope to enter a Synagogue and a Mosque. The main theme of his Pontificate being Unity among Faiths.Nevertheless, John Paul remained only a 'modern' pope, and not a modernist. It was John XXIII who was the true modernist. He began introducing reforms through Vatican Council II. John Paul II was a conservative. He reached out to people, but his doctrinal teachings remain in strictissimi fidei with the old canons.
He was also the Pope that gave the Youth importance in their role in the Church by introducing the so-called 'Catholic Woodstock' a.k.a World Youth Days.John Paul was also a very influential political leader.
He continuously opposes the death penalty, abortion, war, stem cell research, same-sex marriages, etc, using the morality card as his primary weapon.Now that his return home is apparent, I am not about to grieve his death. Well, yes, I'd cry somehow for sure. But we cannot disobey the natural law and pray for life extension for another 10 years or so when it is so apparent and evident that God is already calling him back. We have to celebrate this man, who would join the ranks of the great visionaries of the 20th century like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.
Commentators say that this Pope will be referred to as 'John Paul the Great'. We should laud, for tonight the world is writing the history of humankind as seen trough the eyes of a young boy turned actor, soccer player, factory worker, witness of the tragedies of war, priest, bishop, cardinal, pope --- and eventually a saint. If the Dalai Lama is the Ocean of Wisdom, then John Paul is the Western Boddhisattva of Peace.
Long Live John Paul!
For most of us this Pope was the only Pontiff we've known all our lives. He was not just a spiritual leader, Patriarch of the West, but he is, as CNN Commentators dubbed him --- A Pop Star.
Yes, John Paul is an icon of the modern times, crossing the threshold of the old days with the 21 century. Most of us Filipinos believe that the People Power Revolution began in EDSA, but in truth, it began in Karol's native Poland, when the Solidarity Movement paved the way for the destruction of the Communist Regime. He was the Pope who inspired the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iron Curtain and the rest of the Soviet Block.
John Paul was the first Pontiff to travel extensively around the world, in stark contrast with his predecessors, who remained within the cloisters of the Vatican, and who mostly travelled not beyond the outskirts of Rome.
He was the second Pope who utilized well mass-media. The First was John XXIII. He was the Pope of the people.He was the first Pope to enter a Synagogue and a Mosque. The main theme of his Pontificate being Unity among Faiths.Nevertheless, John Paul remained only a 'modern' pope, and not a modernist. It was John XXIII who was the true modernist. He began introducing reforms through Vatican Council II. John Paul II was a conservative. He reached out to people, but his doctrinal teachings remain in strictissimi fidei with the old canons.
He was also the Pope that gave the Youth importance in their role in the Church by introducing the so-called 'Catholic Woodstock' a.k.a World Youth Days.John Paul was also a very influential political leader.
He continuously opposes the death penalty, abortion, war, stem cell research, same-sex marriages, etc, using the morality card as his primary weapon.Now that his return home is apparent, I am not about to grieve his death. Well, yes, I'd cry somehow for sure. But we cannot disobey the natural law and pray for life extension for another 10 years or so when it is so apparent and evident that God is already calling him back. We have to celebrate this man, who would join the ranks of the great visionaries of the 20th century like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.
Commentators say that this Pope will be referred to as 'John Paul the Great'. We should laud, for tonight the world is writing the history of humankind as seen trough the eyes of a young boy turned actor, soccer player, factory worker, witness of the tragedies of war, priest, bishop, cardinal, pope --- and eventually a saint. If the Dalai Lama is the Ocean of Wisdom, then John Paul is the Western Boddhisattva of Peace.
Long Live John Paul!
posted by ohme at 9:53 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home