PERSPECTIVES
A reflection on Pope John Paul II’s legacy
By Father Michael E Crummy
Special to The Catholic Spirit
When people we love die, there comes a time when we have to let go and accept their absence from our lives. In another sense, they live in our memory and, God willing, in eternity in heaven.
Before Pope John Paul II died, I thought more than once that I would like to write about what he meant to me so that I could share those thoughts with my parishioners. When he did die, I couldn’t muster the discipline to put pen to page, and consequently my eulogy, while sincere, failed to say all I wanted it to. Perhaps what would have been his 86th this May 18 is as good a time as any to finish my tribute.
This son of Poland was a Vicar of Christ in every sense of the word. How he witnessed to joy in the Holy Spirit when he was among the world’s youth. When young Americans chanted, “ John Paul II, we love you!” and he responded, “Perhaps he loves you more!” young people knew they had a great universal pastor.
When he, while still healthy and strong, sat opposite his would-be assassin, grasped his elbow and communicated the mercy and forgiveness of Our Savior, what a witness he was for Christ! When years later, as a frail grandfatherly pontiff, he placed a prayer in the Western Wall in Jerusalem, asking for forgiveness for sins committed by sons and daughters of the church against the children of Abraham, how he witnessed to humility and the need for repentance in the Christian life!
When he challenged us to live the fullness of the Gospel message without compromise, even amidst the din of those who preferred to justify human weakness by lowering the bar of the call to holiness, how he witnessed to apostolic courage and a loving but unflinching commitment to the truths of our Catholic faith.
When he hiked in white sneakers and twirled his cane at World Youth Day in Manila, in response to the love of the throng for him and their savior, we knew he was defining his papacy, rather than being constrained by protocol. How he witnessed to the freedom that is ours in Christ Jesus!
When he went to Poland shortly after his election to the See of Peter and told millions of his compatriots that there was a new spirit moving in that captive land, the Holy Spirit, and that their enslavement was contrary to God’s plan, how he witnessed to the dignity of each and every human person!
When he begged President Clinton and the entire American populace to defend life — the life of the unborn, the handicapped, and the frail elderly, I was proud he was the leader of our church and a prophetic voice for her.
When he met with the youth in Madison Square Garden and accepted a pair of blue jeans as they cheered with delight, as a young man just out of college, the idea of becoming a priest suddenly emerged more clearly in my consciousness. I realized that putting the life of the church at the center of my life could be attractive and enjoyable.
When he lay dying in his apostolic apartment and imitated the Good Shepherd to the last by thanking those who gathered down below his window for responding once again to his many efforts to seek them out for Christ, how he witnessed to the love of God the Father and to the redemptive nature of the Cross!
His amazing linguistic skills, his unique blend of intellectual prowess and pastoral sensitivity, his indefatigable drive to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, are just a few of the things that made him great. His love for Mary, our Mother, as one who lost his entire family by the time he was a young man, touched our hearts. He was a great gift from God to the church and to all humanity.
Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us. Pope John Paul the Great, pray for us, that we might follow Jesus with all the steadfastness and commitment to which you called us, and to which you yourself witnessed so beautifully.
These reflections are late, but hopefully they are better late than never.
Father Crummy is pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Parish, Milford.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law