JOHN PAUL'S VISION

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Thursday, October 22, the church celebrated the feast of St. John Paul II, who served as pope from 1978 until his death in 2005. In his memory I would like to offer this except from Incarnationis Mysterium, his proclamation initiating the "great jubilee year of the year 2000." Of course, as pope he must have had many "dreams" for the church and the world. But the following excerpt, which I offer with no further comment, seems well worth our attention twenty years later. I invite you to spend some time reflecting on what it means for you personally as well as for our country and the wider world.

Let us therefore look to the future. The merciful Father takes no account of the sins for which we are truly sorry (cf. Is 38:17). He is now doing something new, and in the love which forgives he anticipates the new heavens and the new earth. Therefore, so that there may be a renewed commitment to Christian witness in the world of the next millennium, let faith be refreshed, let hope increase and let charity exert itself still more.

12. One sign of the mercy of God which is especially necessary today is the sign of charity, which opens our eyes to the needs of those who are poor and excluded. Such is the situation affecting vast sectors of society and casting its shadow of death upon whole peoples. The human race is facing forms of slavery which are new and more subtle than those of the past; and for too many people freedom remains a word without meaning. Some nations, especially the poorer ones, are oppressed by a debt so huge that repayment is practically impossible. It is clear, therefore, that there can be no real progress without effective cooperation between the peoples of every language, race, nationality and religion. The abuses of power which result in some dominating others must stop: such abuses are sinful and unjust. Whoever is concerned to accumulate treasure only on earth (cf. Mt 6:19) “is not rich in the sight of God” (Lk 12:21).

There is also a need to create a new culture of international solidarity and cooperation, where all —

particularly the wealthy nations and the private sector — accept responsibility for an economic model which serves everyone. There should be no more postponement of the time when the poor Lazarus can sit beside the rich man to share the same banquet and be forced no more to feed on the scraps that fall from the table (cf. Lk 16:19-31). Extreme poverty is a source of violence, bitterness and scandal; and to eradicate it is to do the work of justice and therefore the work of peace.