This Sunday marks the feast day of St. Pope John Paul II which is the anniversary of his papal inauguration. As a saint of the 20th century, his life reminds us that we too are called to be saints. St. Pope John Paul II once said, “Do not be afraid to become a saint!” In other words, Do not be afraid to be who God created you to be! The Gospel today reminds us that we must give to God what belongs to God; that is, we should be giving ourselves to God. We belong to God and He desires for us to be with Him in heaven. In order to get to Heaven, we need to live lives of holiness. Pope Francis once stated:
“Holiness is gifted to us by the Lord Jesus, when He takes us up with Him and clothes us in Himself, making us like Him. In the Letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul says that ‘Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for her, to make her holy.’ Holiness truly is the most beautiful face of the Church, it is rediscovering ourselves in communion with God, in the fullness of His life and His love. Holiness is a gift that is offered to all, without exception, so that it constitutes the distinctive character of each of us.”
St. Pope John Paul II, pray for us!