Think about the past 26 years during which Pope John Paul II served as Pope and focus on the ways he has touched your life.After Pope John II was shot in the early 80's, he went to his would-be
assassin to forgive him. That taught an impressionable ten year old boy that Christ was serious when he told his followers to love your enemies and to bless those who persecute you.
During the late 80's, one of the "answers" on
Final Jeopardy was "1980 strike in the Lenin Shipyard led to its formation". The "question" was "what is Solidarity?". Upon finding out that Solidarity, which
peacefully overthrew communism, was inspired by the Pope, a cynical teenager learned that the Catholic Church was headed by a man of peace, hope, and change.
During the 90's, Pope John Paul II had re-iterated traditional Catholic teachings: no priesthood for women (
Ordinatio Sacerdotalis), no communion for Protestants (
Ut Unum Sint), no contraception for anyone (
Familiaris Consortion), and staunch support of Marian devotions (
Redemptoris Mater). He did not, however, let the conservatives get complacent in their doctrinal and liturgical aloofness. Instead, he fought hard for Social Justice and a
Just Wage and reminded us all of our obligation to the poor. One would think such a hard line would alienate everyone both in the Church and outside the Church. But this same Pope also accomplished that which no other Popes before him had: A mutual and acceptable understanding with the Lutheran Church over the "
justification by faith" issue, an unprecedented level of open dialogue with the Jewish and Orthodox community, and a close, vibrant relationship with the Catholic youth. By showing the world what it meant to be Catholic and what it meant to reach out to those who were not, Pope John Paul II helped an anxious new Dad find peace in returning to the Roman Catholic Church he had left years ago.
As the Pope grew weak and frail, he continued to serve and so taught a primary bread-winner saddled with responsibility (who privately desired to take his own life in the event he could no longer support his family) that life had dignity, value, and purpose even after it passed what the world would consider the "productive years".
After the merciless and cruel execution of Terry Schiavo by
starvation and dehydration, Pope John Paul II showed the world what it was to die with dignity. He chose not to go to the hospital and said:
'I want to stay in my home'.
After Karol Wojtyla assumed the name Pope John Paul II and forgave a man who tried to assassinate him, he taught me and the rest of the world what it means to be a Christian. In his encyclicals and writings, he taught us what it means to be Catholic. In his travels and dialogue with Protestants, Jews, Orthodox, Buddhist, and other relgions he taught Catholics how to reach out to those who were not Catholic. In his weakness and frail health, he taught us the value of life. In his death, he teaches us to look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Ioannes Paulus, we have never met and yet you have enriched my life in ways you were never aware of in this life. Our Lord will remember very well the good you have done for me and countless others like me.
Pax Tecum Papa Wojtyla
At the intersection of folk and jazz, just a block over from torch, there's an intimate little place where Over the Rhine has recorded their new album Drunkard's Prayer. It's musically and emotionally rich album filled with love songs for adults. The type of material that should come with a warning, instead of the juvenile stuff that normally does. Love, laughter, longing and tears given life by the sweet, lush, emotive voice of Karin Bergquist. 
I was at Graceland when I head the news that the Pope had died. We were waiting for the shuttle bus at Graceland when the DJ on the background Muzak announced that the pope had passed away and that the Pope being a well known spiritual person just like Elvis, Elvis would have wanted to play tribute, so the DJ played How Great Thou Art by Elvis. It was as much about Elvis as the Pope. But that's Graceland; all Elvis all the time. 