Homily of Cardinal Justin Rigali
Commemoration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Death of Pope John Paul II
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
March 29, 2010
Today we are commemorating, in advance, the fifth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II, which actually occurs this coming Friday—Good Friday.
We gather together to remember in prayer Pope John Paul II and to thank God for the faithful ministry of this holy Pope.
During the twenty-six and a half years of his pontificate, the Pope spoke frequently about the need to proclaim the Gospel especially by example. He spoke frequently about the need for all of us to live in a way that is consistent with what we believe.
Five years after the death of Pope John Paul II, the Church sees ever more clearly how consistent Pope John Paul II was. During all those years he was very close to all the people who suffered. He explained the value of Christian suffering as a sharing in the sufferings of Christ. And we remember, when his turn came, how patiently and how peacefully he embraced the Cross.
His greatest legacy was his love for the Church. With love he embraced his vocation of being shepherd of the whole Church. He loved the people of God and traveled all over the world to proclaim Jesus Christ and to invite people to embrace Him.
Pope John Paul II was humbly conscious of the fact that Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of the Church. He was only His Vicar—the Vicar of Christ for the universal Church. He represented Christ with dignity and love. Especially in his last years, Pope John Paul II shared intensely in the sufferings of Christ, but he did so with joy and with peace.
The Gospel which we proclaim this afternoon was very special for Pope John Paul II. As Successor of the Apostle Peter the great challenge of his life was to accept the invitation that Jesus extended to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” And when Peter said that he did, Jesus challenged him: “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”
With these words always in his heart, John Paul II gave his life, expending all his energy to serve the people of God and to communicate to them Jesus and His Gospel of justice, peace, life and love.
Today a great act of thanksgiving arises from the whole Church—and we join in—to praise God for the gift of John Paul II, loving shepherd of the Church, faithful successor of Peter the Apostle and Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.