"When you wonder about the mystery of yourself, look to Christ, who gives you the meaning of life. When you wonder what it means to be a mature person, look to Christ, who is the fulfillness of humanity. And when you wonder about your role in the future of the world look to Christ."
"As the source of love, God desires to make himself known; and the knowledge which the human being has of God perfects all that the human mind can know of the meaning of life."
"Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness and the inestimable value of human life..."
"People today need to turn to Christ once again in order to receive from him the answer to their questions about what is good and what is evil. Christ is the Teacher, the Risen One who has life in himself and who is always present in his Church and in the world. It is he who opens up to the faithful the book of the Scriptures and, by fully revealing the Father's will, teaches the truth about moral action."
Today, April 2, 2006, is the one year anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. When I think about him, I recall the time that he was shot by a Turkish gunman at near point blank range back in May 1981. I remember--as a kid--hearing reports that when he arrived to the hospital that he had already forgiven the man who had shot him.
A few months later, he walked into the prison cell of the man who shot him. He sat down with this man who had pointed a gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger with the intention of killing.
And the Pope loved him.
And the Pope recognized Christ in him.
And the Pope forgave him.
What a great model of Christian love.
4 comments:
This is a story about awesome forgiveness.
I didnt know about the date.
forgive my ignorant protestant mind.
was Karol the popes original name?
i know thay adopt new ones when they become pope.
MDM
Hey MDM,
Sorry for the delay. I've been on the road.
Pope John Paul II's original name was Karol Wojtyla. He adopted the new name when he became Pope in 1979.
I honestly don't know why they change names. Maybe it's similar to why Saul changed his name to Paul.
Just a guess.
thanks theden,
I thought this was the case but wanted to check anyway.
I know that I could not forgive a man who shot me of myself. By the grace and power of Jesus however all things are possible and by His strength I beleive I could.
MDM
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