Goodbye Karol
These words were the first scripture chosen for the funeral mass of John Paul II:
Acts 10:34-43 (New International Version)
34Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached– 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen–by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
How fitting. We protestants may have our differences about Mary, but our Catholic brothers and sisters know what is the essence of our shared faith. Also, I found it wonderful that the things of the Kingdom of God; hope, redemption, the sacrifice of Christ were being discussed and given great audience on every last major television outlet.
Now, may our individual lives be so filled with grace, love, and mercy, that the Kingdom of God becomes personal to those around us, our neighbors, our friends and those we work with.
