It is finished: The passing of John Paul

It is written that Jesus said "I tell you it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to gain the Kingdom of Heaven".

The same could be said for a large number of past prelates and princes of the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Church has been the precipitator and engine of much of Western History and events: both Good and Evil in outcome.

But John Paul is not one of those who will have problems at the Pearly Gates.

St Peter will, no doubt, open his arms and say; "Welcome, my brother.. you did well!"

It's generally accepted that the Papacy began with Jesus telling his disciple Peter {Petra, rock} "Upon this rock, I build my church". While this was essential in the early years in maintaining the struggling sect of Judaism, it wouldnt have worked without the ambassadorial advocacy of Paul the convert.

John Paul performed in both roles... a very difficult task in modern times where he had to reconcile, correct and confess to the past transgressions and stubborn hubris of the Church he headed.

While correcting the course of his Church.

Nearly gone is the influence of the Red Priests who overcompensated for the conspiracy/corruption of earlier state sponsored, Church accepted, colonial genocide.
Nearly gone are socialist bishops and cardinals who suggested that Jesus was a "revolutionary radical". ... meaning that "He campaigned against Caesar"

Now that is the liturgy of mainline Protestantism. Can you say "Untied Church of Christ"!

He did what he had to do in laying down the core concepts of a modest, loving but sternly moral pastor. He did not hedge in laying out what is right and what is wrong and he was the right man at the right time to pressure for the end of the Marxist "Heaven on Earth".... and key in the dissolution of the Soviet.
Only a Pope from behind the Iron Curtain could have been so effective... but it was not as a revolutionary, it was as a preacher and inspiration to stand for self-determination.

While there are still - and always will be- remnants of ridiculous man-made dogma in the Roman Church, the most egregious being the concept of "Papal Infallibility" {reference Peter} and the positions on birth control and marriage for priests, the emphasis of the Pope's leadership has been in the right place.. which is to reach out to all the world and preach Jesus' core gospel.

He was a modest, gentle man and loved everyone, bringing admirers from all faiths without succumbing to situational ethics.. there hasnt been a Catholic leader so admired and loved by American Protestants since Bishop Sheen in the fifties.

Despite the Priest sex/pedo scandals (not really a recent phenomenon.. only recently exposed), he has held the line, and set the example for the next in line to change what ails the Church.. and the world at large.

He'll be missed but his part of the work is done. Rest in Peace!

 

RIP Pope John Paul II. Living with my Polish girlfriend, she has told me some unique and enjoyable stories about the Pope and what he means not only to the Polish people, but to everyone in the whole wide world. He will definitely be missed. While I was only 2 years old, I did see the Pope in Chicago in 1979. I do not remember it all that much, but I feel blessed to have been graced by his presence. The Pope has done a great job and there will never be another like him!

 

Thank you, Pettyfog. I'm not Catholic - but I feel the loss of a good, brave and kind man. That was nicely said. Chicago Tom - I thought of you, in your Polish neighborhood, and wondered what you were seeing around you when I heard the news. Your girlfriend, and the people of Poland, have a right to be proud of this man.

 

Re: RE: It is finished: The passing of John Paul

Jill, it was very quiet and there were a lot of tears in my neighborhood. Zaneta and I went to church on Friday night to say prayers for the Pope and there were a lot of tearful people there. All in all it was sad and you are right Jill, they do have a lot to be proud of!

 

RE: Re: RE: It is finished: The passing of John Paul

Isn't the pope the holy roman emperor?

and....

Isn't all dogma man made?

The Pope was Dope..... who ever is next wields quite a large sword.