All my life I wanted a hero. I guess we always do, don't we? We seek for a hero as a child and, from disappointment to disappointment, we look for another. We find them in books and movies and in the Bible, but we keep searching for one with skin on - one we can see - one we can touch. I had no idea what a hero would be like but I knew I would know one when I found him - and I found him!
How did it happen that this man, this Hero from Poland, who became a Pope living in Italy, could make us feel so very One again? Is it crazy? I feel like singing and weeping because this Hero brought everyone together! How did he do that? He brought Catholics, Protestant Christians, even unbelievers from country to country together - he just did it! He brought the countries together like no one has ever done before. He did it well. He was equal to the task!
We needed a hero with slip-on shoes, didn't we? We needed a hero who would work until the moment he died. We needed a hero who would stand for Jesus Christ, even when he could no longer stand. We needed a hero who would speak for the Savior, while wiping saliva from his drooling mouth, even when he could no longer speak.
And I? I keep saying at 72 that I am so tired. I move too slowly and forget that God can make me equal to a task, if I want to serve HIM. If we learn nothing more from this man of God, this Holy Father, this Papa, our Papa, than finishing the race, let's all encourage each other to do just that! Fight the good fight, without swords, and finish the race! Let's hold each other to it!
We praise you, Lord, for the quarter of a century with a Hero like this one. Don't let us forget these past 27 years and don't let us forget these past two weeks. I am so grateful! I love being Catholic!
April 02, 2005
14 comments:
We did need a hero with slip-on shoes! I love this piece!
Every time I read his words, I know more and more how inspired he truly was.
This is the best post I've seen about our Papa John Paul II.
He was the meaning of the word "LOVE"...thanks Terry, Therese
"We needed a hero with slip-on shoes, didn't we?We needed a hero who would work until the moment he died. We needed a hero who would stand for Jesus Christ, even when he could no longer stand. We needed a hero who would speak for the Savior, while wiping saliva from his drooling mouth, even when he could no longer speak..."
Truly inspirational...reading your piece gave strength to my feet...body,mind and soul... Thank You.
Thank you, Terry!!!
Love you,
Tina
A hero with slip on shoes! Love that. And, yes, this great hero, Blessed John Paul II, is the one we can look to when we feel dwarfed by our frailties, God be praised!
This is my favorite of my favorites. Maybe ... ;) There could be others. <3 <3 <3
Blessed John Paul II gives us all the courage to endure.
"Saint John Paul II, Ora pro nobis"
I put this out often - I just love it - even though I wrote it - it is so from GOD and it makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME - I have dry eyes so I count Papa the Great as healing my eyes each time I read it. Sneezing and crying are wonderful.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TERRY, YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL WAY OF WRITING...THOSE TWO SPECIAL GUY'S OF YOURS IN HEAVEN, ARE SMILING DOWN BIG TIME ON YOU AND ALL YOUR DEAR FAMILY...
POPPA IS TRULY MY HERO ALSO...MANY BLESSINGS AND LOVE,BOB+++
Thank you Anita!!! What a kind comment to leave and I think of them smiling down on me - I am very aware of them. At 80 - more people and best friends and loved ones are there than here now - they surely must pray for me - but wish they could send for me
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song." Blessed Pope John Paul II
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