I'll admit I miss Pope John Paul II. He was a living example of how to face adversity - physical and otherwise -for many years. I'm sure many people wondered what sustained his frail body as he continued to serve despite numerous physical problems.
Yet there was a joy about him that clearly showed no matter how much pain he might be in. This was most visible when he was around young people. I used to love watching him as the children brought the Gifts up to the altar at Mass. He was often seen saying a few words to the children and was always encouraging young people.
Despite his physical illnesses, pain and aging, he never lost that joy. It emanated from him.
I remember one day shortly after my accident when I was sitting in my living room. I was in a great deal of pain. The Pope came on TV and I watched as he greeted everyone. He was calm and joyful despite being jostled about - and I knew he must be in pain also.
The way he handled his situation gave me hope that I could, through prayer and faith, try to handle my pain better. I learned to hand things over to God and to pray often and, as the years went by, it became easier.
Even though I never met the Pope, he taught me more about how to live as a Catholic with a disability than anyone else here on earth.
1 comment:
Pope John Paul II was very special and probably will be made a saint. Just watching him was awesome, I agree , because we had a visible leader who was disabled in our Church. I mean no disrespect to Pope Benedict XVI but I also miss Pope John Paul.
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