POPE TALK | KAIROS GLOBAL | JULY 2020

Author: Dr Kochurani Joseph, Cochin, India

St. John Paul II is 'great witness' ahead of centenary 

Many times, in the course of my life as a priest and bishop I have looked to St. John Paul II, asking in my prayers for the gift of being faithful to the Gospel as he witnessed to us. He was a great witness of mercy and throughout his pontificate he called us to this characteristic of God. Many may not realise how much St. John Paul II suffered in his life. He experienced the death of his mother, brother, and father by the age of 21, and then lived through World War II. The suffering that he experienced relying totally on the Lord forged him and made him even stronger in the Christian faith in which he had been educated. St. John Paul suffered as Pope, suffered a terrible attack in 1981, was misunderstood many times and offered his life for the Church. 

Beware of the virus of ‘selfish indifference’

Humanity could be struck by an even worse virus after the coronavirus crisis;  “selfish indifference”. The present pandemic reminds us that there are no differences or borders between those who suffer. We are all frail, all equal, all precious. Let us welcome this time of trial as an opportunity to prepare for our collective future. Because without an all-embracing vision, there will be no future for anyone. The response is not of pietism, not assistance, but compassion.  A time to examine our choices of consumption. This is part of the Church’s teaching on the “universal destination of goods” towards building up social solidarity.

Peace is much more than inner tranquility. 

Peace is often misunderstood today as a subjective psychological idea. It can happen that inner tranquility corresponds to a domesticated conscience and not to a true spiritual redemption.  But this idea is deficient and can hinder personal growth. True peace is found in Christ’s sacrificial love.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Jesus is the prince of peace, who fulfilled the Hebrew concept of shalom  by reconciling all things and making “peace with the blood of his cross.” The biblical notion of shalom means abundance, prosperity and wellbeing. When in Hebrew we wish shalom, we wish for a beautiful, prosperous life, but also according to truth and justice, which will be fulfilled in the Messiah, prince of peace. 

Priesthood and consecrated life require courage and perseverance.

Christian existence is always a response to the call of God, in any state of life. Every vocation is born of that gaze of love with which the Lord came to meet us.  The voice of the evil one seduces, assails and forces with tempting but passing emotions. At first it flatters, makes us believe that we are omnipotent, but then it leaves us with emptiness inside and accuses us: ‘You are worth nothing’. The voice of God, on the other hand, corrects us with much patience, but always encourages us, consoles us. It always nourishes hope. The voice of God never binds: God proposes himself, does not impose himself.  The voice of temptation always revolves around the self whereas the voice of God invites all to go beyond ourselves to find true goodness and peace.

Work is exactly the continuation of the work of God

Human labor is the vocation that mankind received from God ever since the creation of the universe. Through work men and women act as creator, and are capable of creating many things, even of creating a family. Work contains goodness within itself, creates harmony between things – beauty, goodness – and involves every part of the person. This is man’s first vocation: work. This gives dignity to mankind. Dignity makes us similar to God. The dignity to ‘make’ the bread himself, with his work, and take it home. Every injustice inflicted upon a person who works means trampling upon human dignity, even the dignity of the person who carries out the injustice. 

Pope Francis says...

• Divine mercy comes from the Heart of the Risen Christ.

• Humanity will not find peace until it turns to the source of God’s mercy.

• Because of selfishness we failed in responsibility to be guardians and stewards of the earth.

• Prudence and Obedience  will prevent return of pandemic

• Remain faithful in uncertain times of crisis 

• The beatitudes show the path from selfishness to holiness. 

JUNE

The Way of the Heart

We pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus.