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Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pp. (22nd October, 2019) on the Gospel and the Memorial
 
Rom 5:12.15.17-21;
Ps 39:7-10.17. (R.cf.vv.8.9);
Lk 12:35-38.
Pope Saint John Paul II (the Great) was born Karol Józef Wojtyła (18th May, 1920 – 2nd April, 2005). He was ordained a priest on 1st November 1946, consecrated a bishop on 28th September, 1958, created a Cardinal on 26th June, 1967, and a Pope from 16th October, 1978 to 2nd April, 2005. John Paul II improved the Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He visited 129 countries during his pontificate, beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints. A key goal of his papacy was to transform and reposition the Catholic Church. He was beatified on 1st May, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI and was canonized on 27th April, 2014 by Pope Francis. Pope Saint John Paul II is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Kraków, Young Catholics, Families, among others.[1]
Topic: Are you ready?
Many have plans of preparing for eternal life. However, the question is when.
We ought to be ever ready like servants waiting for their master’s return. Those he finds alert will be blessed. He will make them sit at the table and serve them himself.  However, he will come at any time. Jesus goes further,
...if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Once, a newly assigned devil was explaining his strategy to a veteran. “My plan,” he said proudly, “is to convince the man that there is no God.”
“No,” said the senior devil, “that will not work. All the man has to do is take a look beyond the earth and he will know that God exists.”
“Well, then,” said the junior devil, “I will convince him that there is no devil.”
“That is more promising,” Replied the veteran tempter, “but, still, if he takes a close look around his own neighbourhood, he will realise that the devil exists.”
“Here’s the best plan. Don’t try to convince him that there is no God or that there is no devil. Just tell him there is no hurry.[2]
Father Sagayanathan concludes with these words, “Evidently that is the current strategy to bring people down to hell”. Be warned!
Pope Saint John Paul II we celebrate today was not foreign to many. We witnessed his life, death, beatification, and canonization. And today, we celebrate him as a saint of God. If only we can repent today, we will rejoice in heaven with all the saints of God.
Bible Reading: Matt 6:1-4; Acts 10:1-4; Rom 13:8-10; 1Jn 4:7-21.
Thought for today: Are you ready?
Let us pray: Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is (Ps 39:4) – Amen.
Pope Saint John Paul II – Pray for us.
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[2] Sagayanathan, A. (2009). Launching pad: Stories for Sunday homilies – A, B & C. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, pp. 320-321.

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