I spent 3 hours watching the live streaming of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s beatification mass. It was a completely spirit-filled experience and I’ll try to capture as much of my thoughts and emotions in words.

Mass began with the incensing of the altar, the Kyrie and then the beatification rite. The Vicar-General of Rome came up and presented his request for the Pope to beatify John Paul II and he read out his life story – his background, his rise to becoming Pope and his many contributions to the Church. As I listened to the life story of this man, I broke down and really really cried.

I guess I came to a complete realization of how much he has moulded my spiritual life, even though we have never even met before. Love and responsibility and Theology of the Body heightens my understanding of God’s bigger purpose in creation, the dignity of a human person, marriage, relationships.. The Second Vatican Council, the chance to celebrate Mass in English. Lumen Gentium, the universal call to holiness. World Youth Day. Divine Mercy. Eucharistic Adoration. I was really touched by how a man was so open to God, and through that openness, goodness flowed through him and manifested itself in theology, worship and events.

I broke down again during Pope Benedict’s homily. Blessed Pope John Paul II’s whole life was a prayer to God, a willing yes to all of God’s plans and an expression of God’s love. A life based on faith. Hearing about it truly reminded me of my own daily call to holiness and sainthood. His life showed me that it’s possible. I can’t fully explain in words how I felt in those moments.. It was as though I heard the truth for the very first time – the truth of God’s amazing love for me, the truth of salvation and redemption. That truth moves you from the deepest recesses of your soul and it brings so much hope with it. I’m probably still riding on the emotions of those few hours (and the high will die down), but I believe it is God’s universal call to each and every one of us for holiness and for our lives to be an expression of love and obedience to his will. In so doing, may our lives be fruitful.

So to end off.. A quote which Pope Benedict shared in his homily really stuck with me. It’s the words of Blessed Pope John Paul II in his first mass as Pope, “Do not be afraid, Open, open wide the doors to Christ”. I think this powerful message is for all of us to hear. “Do not be afraid, Open, open wide the doors to Christ”.

Pope Benedict’s homily can be found here: http://communio.stblogs.org/2011/05/pope-benedict-xvi-homily-for-j.html

Have a good week ahead.

Love, Jess