Twenty years ago John Paul II consumed his struggle, next to God, before death. So we will do everyone, but in his being embraced to the cross he shown the certainty of the resurrection. We cried, In St. Peter’s Square, under the faintly enlightened window, like and more than the farewell of a father. But strong of his strength, made certain by his faith: of his holiness, of the future of the Church.
For many, then very young, John Paul II was the old and sick who was not ashamed to show himself weak, of Having to dry the saliva from the lips by his assistant, to slam his hand on the lectern, helpless to utter his blessing to the moved people. But For many it was also the Pope of youth, of joy, of courage. So powerful his voice, so serene his gaze, wise his intelligence, tempted by a life of pain and choices.
Always with Christ on the side of truth and justice. Next to Solidarornosci’s workers, to break down the walls of the iron curtain. To keep the doctrine bar straight. A great writer, Javier Cercas, In his recent book he launches himself in this judgment on the “Conservatism of John Paul II which mixed the defense of traditional Christianity with connivance and support for reactionary political ideologies “. That myopia. The most revolutionary Pope of the twentieth century. That He defended Christianity because he was not ashamed of Christ. Why defend the doctrine of the Church It does not mean being reactionary. Asking priests to lay down weapons does not mean being reactionary. Asking Christians not to confuse the Church with an NGO does not mean being reactionary.
How sad about if we have reduced ourselves to talking about John Paul II so, contrasting it with the subsequent Popes, that is, his most expensive friend and the one who made him holy. The Church gives us in every vintage change the right man in the right place, Whether we know how to recognize it or not. Some of his elected ones are righteous for every time and for this he raises them to the altars. But the Pope is not a political leader, to be pulled for the white dress depending on our interest. He certainly has a political role, being a moral leader capable of making his voice listen to the world. But for believers it is the successor of Peter, Like Pietro perhaps a sinner, at times confused, but capable of bowing in front of the Lord and telling him “I love you, most of all”.
John Paul II cheered us, He prompted us not to be fearful of the world, not to lock ourselves in the sacristy, not to make our habits prevail. A tornado, which swept away the image of a swampy and dusty church, unable to respond to the challenges of the time. It has never been so, but his heartfelt and firm cry, at the beginning of the pontificate, was the green light of our path: “Don’t be afraid. Open, indeed open the doors to Christ … Christ knows what is inside the heart of man. Only he knows it ». And in our heart there is the desire for good, beautiful, true, right. That is, of Jesus. In this time of new lacerating curtains, of intimidated or resigned rulers, of divided Christians, his appeal resonates with more relevance and strength. Courage, God is enough and enough everywhere. Damose from Fa.
(Photo Giancarlo Giuliani/PSP)
