As we mark the 20th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s death, it’s essential to focus on the core lessons of his life. The great pope left a monumental legacy inside and outside the Catholic Church, earning him consideration for being named “John Paul the Great.”
At the heart of his message was the call to holiness, which he believed was essential for the Christian life. He emphasized that baptism initiates us into God’s holiness and sets us on a trajectory to become “perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” However, he also recognized that this ideal is not reserved for exceptional individuals but can be achieved by ordinary people in their daily lives.
John Paul II stressed that the Church must provide genuine training in holiness, adapted to people’s needs. He highlighted six essential means of holiness: receiving God’s grace, prayer, the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, listening to God’s word, and proclaiming it in word and deed.
The pope believed that the Christian life is not about mediocrity but about striving for spiritual greatness. He encouraged Christians to recognize their calling to true heroism in faith, hope, and love, even in their daily routines. His message of “Be not afraid!” serves as a reminder to be courageous in responding to his call to holiness.
As we celebrate this anniversary, let us heed John Paul II’s words and work towards making the call to holiness practical in our lives. By doing so, we can become saints in our own way, using the Church as a school of saints to help us grow in virtue and heroism.
Source: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/landry-christian-heroism-john-paul-ii-personified