Be Not Afraid

Today as we honor St. John Paul II, we recall the first words he uttered as he addressed the throngs in St. Peter's Square right after his election:  "Be Not Afraid."  He repeated this theme throughout his 28 year papacy, even to his last days.  He had learned to put his total trust in God, and certainly in Mary, our Good Mother, as he grew up in Poland, having lost his mother at an early age, and later his father.  Being so "orphaned" he learned to rely more and more on God and was never disappointed.  He studied for the priesthood secretly, and eventually was made bishop, archbishop, cardinal and pope.   What a journey!
We saw his charismatic figure everywhere, from circles of learned theologians and philosophers, to the huge gatherings of young people at the World Youth Days he initiated.  His energy was unstoppable, even after his bullet wound in 1981.  He visited 124 countries, wrote 14 encyclicals, 5 books and canonized 482 saints!
He was an evangelist, defender of life, peacemaker, promoter of authentic human freeddom and friend and inspiration of youth.  St. John Paul..pray for us.
Bro. Rene