Beloved shepherd, John Paul II

"Totus Tuus", i.e. "I am all yours." Thus did Pope John Paul II entrust himself to our Blessed Mother at the beginning of his pontificate. Thus did he make his offering of himself to God and to all in the whole world. Thus did he take to heart his God-given mission to shepherd his flock worldwide.

"Christ, make me become and remain the servant of Your unique power, the servant of Your sweet power, the servant of Your power that knows no eventide. Make me be a servant. Indeed, the servant of Your servants." This was the fervent, humble and trusting prayer of John Paul II when he received the keys of the Kingdom. He took to heart his God-given mission to be shepherd, teaching by word and example what the Word of God today says: "Amen, Amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came (before me) are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture" (Jn 2:7-9).

Shepherd of the flock, John Paul II repeats these words enjoining billions the world over regardless of race and creed to open the doors for Christ: "Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept His power. Help me and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ’s power to serve the human person and the whole of mankind. Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To His saving power, open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid; Christ knows what is in man. He alone knows it." (From an address at the beginning of the Holy Father’s pontificate)

He lived a life with a holy passion for his own awareness of being the missionary who had come to us sent by the Father and by Jesus to continue to proclaim the Kingdom of God which begins in this world but is realized only in eternity, in order to consolidate the faith of all peoples, to create a deep communion among all sons of the same Church. He identified himself as minister and unworthy Vicar of Christ to watch over His Church, as the humble successor of the apostle Peter, the Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the Universal Church. He came as Peter’s successor, the heir to the mysterious and indescribable spiritual authority which had been conferred on him, but also to the tremendous responsibility entrusted to him. While accepting to be the Universal Pastor of the Church, eager to know, love and serve all the members of the flock entrusted to him, he reached out to the sheep who had gone astray and had to be brought back to the fold. He has reached out to the whole world of different creeds in their farthest reaches. He wanted to know all, the young especially, the old, rich and poor, the lowly and the mighty, for his affection for all has been great. Phenomenal greatness in his lowliness.

Witness to all this the worldwide outpouring of affection, tremendous manifestation of peoples he has touched. His funeral Mass was a celebration of life, the very life which Jesus spoke of when He said: "I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly" (Jn 10:10).

His Holiness, John Paul II leaves us not only the legacy of the keys of the Kingdom to his successor, but to us all a legacy of joy, of comfort, of peace which surpasses all understanding and summing them all, a legacy of love. His memory lives on in the hearts of his sons and daughters, his young, the babies he used to hug and bless as his little lambs and to all humanity of different races, faiths and beliefs. Our beloved shepherd, we will ever keep you in our hearts while you continue to bring down to us from your place in heaven, and mercy and love of God.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, John 10:1-10.