Blessed John Paul II

     Over the weekend the Church celebrated the Beatification of the late Pope John Paul II.  The ceremonies took place on Sunday in Rome, and were attended by well over one million people as well as being watched by millions at home.  John Paul served as pope for the second or third longest reign, and touched the lives of countless people over the years.  He was a great servant of God, and a very holy man.  I subscribe to a magazine "Inside the Vatican" which has an issue devoted to John Paul and his accomplishments.  I'll share some of them in the coming days/weeks.

     In reading some of the reactions to his beatification, I ran across a blog that garnered a multitude of comments (somewhere like 75 by Sunday afternoon).  The vast majority were hostile to his being lifted before us on the path of holiness.  Many criticized his actions or inaction in a slew of areas.  Many revealed their deep hatred of things Catholic.  Many showed a lack of understanding of what it means to be called a saint.

     Being lifted up as a "blessed" or being called a saint does not mean that the person is perfect.  It does mean that their relationship with Christ is such that they can serve as a model of holiness, which we are all called to embrace.  John Paul was a holy man, a man in touch with the living God.  He lived a life that inspired countless people, drawing them into the Body of Christ and inviting them closer to Jesus Christ.  The saints are our spiritual heroes.  They should not be idolized, but they should serve as inspiration in our journey.  Their mistakes, frailties or even imperfections should remind us that we are earthen vessels that can be used by Christ to bring grace to world in need of redemption.  John Paul II was a man of deep Faith, inspiring personal and communal prayer, strong hope and powerful vision.

     Blessed John Paul, intercede for us before the throne of the Father.