In our midst

DOCTOR: How do you like the hearing aid?
Patient: Fine.
Doctor: How does your family like it?
Patient: I haven't told them yet, but I have changed my will three times already.

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In today's Gospel (Lk. 24, 13-35), Jesus drew near and walked with the two disciples discussing and debating about all the things that have occurred on their way to Emmaus. He was on their midst, but they failed to recognize Him. Why? Because they were so focused on their own grief, fears, maybe, even doubts. Yes, He is in us and in our midst, but we often fail to recognize and acknowledge Him.

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It is interesting to note that the two disciples did not recognize the Lord while they were discussing and debating along the way. But when they sat at the table with Him, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. We need quiet time so that we can recognize the Lord in our hearts and in our midst. Is your appointment with the Lord only an incidental appendage or, perhaps, a last-minute hindsight in your busy day?

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"Were not our hearts burning?" This phrase best describes every encounter with Pope John Paul II. A lot, as in a lot, has been said and will still be said about our beloved Pope JPII. Allow me to say three things more. First, JPII was a man who prayed much. He drew strength from prayers. He spent at least three hours before the Blessed Sacrament every day. To us, he was a Pope, but to God, he was a vicar servant, and to the Blessed Mother, he was a son. It was prayer that made him constantly aware of who he was and what he should be. He humbled himself before God in prayer, that's why he was able to bring God everywhere. Do you pray? Do you really pray?

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JP II was a man who worked much. His vigor was amazing and his zeal for the Lord's work was so edifying. No pope traveled as much as he did, reaching out to so many, and bringing God in so many issues confronting humanity. Even in his last days, he was reaching out to the world that needed unity and peace. He was tenacious in his mission even if it meant at times being unpopular. Are you busy with the Lord's agenda in your life?

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JPII was a man who loved much. He exuded love in everything he did, everywhere he went. His loving and his service were neither a show nor a put on. He was not one who went for the money, or for the show. He went for love every step of the way. He had a heart that burned with love. He told the world what he thought was right, and he did it all because of love. Still wonder how one person could be so loved in life and in death? That was because he loved much. Is there enough love in your life? Are you all just money, money and everything nice?

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I consider it a privilege to have lived in the lifetime of JPII, to have walked that stretch of the road to Emmaus with him; and indeed, our hearts burned with love while he was in our midst, and even now that he is out of our sight. He left behind no material possessions, but lots of respect, beautiful memories and love. (You, who are so engrossed with money, pleasures and power, please read again the line I just wrote!)

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In his last will, he considered being buried in his beloved Poland, but left the final decision to the cardinals, remaining obedient to the Church till the end. "Totus tuus ego sum" (I am totally yours), his motto, sums up the total dedication and self-giving of a man who sacrificed much, and who loved much.

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JPII was in our midst as a Pope for 26 years, and he reminded the world that God is alive, and that God is the Father of all. It is amazing that whatever evangelization and dialogue he left undone during his lifetime is now being completed in his death by the media all over the world. We dare say that his being a light, as one of God's shining saints in this our present day and time, will continue after his internment.

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Let us pray that the 117 cardinals in conclave will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to elect the next pope who will continue to bring God in our midst and to keep our hearts burning with love.

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As we honor and cherish the memory of JPII, let us move on and keep in mind who and what he stood for. He was the Vicar of Christ. May we all follow Christ more closely. His message must lead us to greater dedication to life, family, lay empowerment, youth, inter-faith dialogue, social justice and peace. May his death bear fruit in each and everyone of us.

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One of the last public appearances of JPII was during Easter Sunday when he stood before the crowd but could not speak anymore. What was he desperately trying to say? We will never really know. But knowing him and the life he lived, he was telling the world of His love, and his love. JPII, we will carry on Christ's work, and JPII, we love you too. Short was our encounter, but the memory will be forever.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to pray much, work much, and love much like Pope John Paul II to make you present in our midst. Amen.