A Legacy of Life, Light and Love
Apr 08, 2005
Twenty-five years ago the world was stunned and elated by the election of Karol Wojtyla, Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, as Bishop of Rome, the first Polish Pope. Today, we are not altogether surprised, but profoundly saddened nonetheless by the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope John Paul II into eternal life. By Cardinal Roger M. Mahony.
(The Tidings, April 8, 2005) For all of us here in Los Angeles, we remember with vivid memories the visit of Pope John Paul II September 15-16, 1987. The Holy Father was with us for 48 hours, celebrating outdoor Masses in the Memorial Coliseum and in Dodger Stadium. He hosted a gathering of Ecumenical and Interreligious leaders, as well as leaders in the entertainment industry. One of the most memorable events was his meeting with young people at Universal City. The young people and the Pope there were linked by television to other groups of young people in Seattle, Denver and St. Louis. All were involved in prayer, song and dialogue with the Pope.
The Pope spoke directly to the wondrous ethnic diversity of Southern California in his homily at Dodger Stadium, and called us to a deeper unity and harmony among all peoples here:
Today, in the Church in Los Angeles, Christ is Anglo and Hispanic, Christ is Chinese and Black, Christ is Vietnamese and Irish, Christ is Korean and Italian, Christ is Japanese and Filipino, Christ is Native American, Croatian, Samoan and many other ethnic groups. In this local Church, the one Risen Christ, the one Lord and Savior, is living in each person who has accepted the word of God and been washed clean in the saving waters of Baptism. And the Church, with all her different members, remains the one Body of Christ, professing the same faith, united in hope and in love.
Some have already dubbed him "John Paul the Great." Of his innumerable achievements, many will remember his indefatigable energy in travel, his longevity, or the canonization of so many saints during his pontificate. Others will focus on his role in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Only the perspective of time, distance and historical reflection will allow the greatness of this life and legacy to be measured.
On being elected 25 years ago, our Holy Father chose the name John Paul, continuing in the footsteps of his predecessors, John Paul I, Paul VI and John XXIII. Each one was imbued with the vision of the Second Vatican Council. In a matter of days, John Paul I won the heart of the world with his open arms and winning smile.
Paul VI, himself named for Saint Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles, worked untiringly for a Church renewed by deeper commitment to its Mission, its call to bring the Gospel of Life to peoples of every race, land and language, especially to the poor of the earth, through the work of Evangelization. John XXIII took his name for the Beloved Disciple, John the Evangelist, whose Gospel proclaims Jesus Christ as God's Love and Light in the world. The love and the light of "Good Pope John" made of him an enduring icon of humility, listening, sensitivity and openness to those of different religious traditions, as well as to nonbelievers.
It is in these names, John and Paul, that we may find the key to understanding the real contribution of the life and legacy of our Holy Father. Imbued with the Light and the Love of Christ, he worked unceasingly for the unification of all peoples, seeking reconciliation and unity with those of different traditions, above all, with the Jewish people, our forebears in faith. And he was impelled by Mission, an overarching concern to reach out to peoples throughout the world, heralding the Word of Life in the Church and in the wider world.
The world has watched as the once vital and vigorous traveling Pope has been diminished by the effects of aging and illness. In recent years, some have wondered about his ability to continue his service effectively. But from the perspective of Christian faith, Pope John Paul II was never a more compelling witness to the hope of the Gospel than in his last years and months. Even in his diminishment and dying, our Holy Father offered himself as a gift for the Church and the world, emptying himself, pouring himself out before us, sharing in the life of the One who emptied himself as a gift (Philippians 2: 6-11), and through self-giving unto death, has become Life, Light, and Love for the world.
The commitment of St. Paul summarizes the totality of the self-giving of Pope John Paul II in the service of Jesus Christ and the Gospel: "I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent for your sakes" (2 Corinthians 12:15).
A Legacy of Life, Light and Love