A father with his dear
children
In
1979, his Holiness Pope John Paul II visited Madison Square Garden in New York
City. Below is a video of a portion of that memorable day. Notice how the great
John Paul does not hesitate to humble himself to reach those present – as a
good father speaks in a sort-of baby talk to his children, the venerable
Pontiff is moved by the Spirit to relate to his audience in a child-like
manner, Unless you be converted, and
become as little children (Matthew 18:3).
The
American audience gave his Holiness jeans and a t-shirt as a sign of the individualism
of the contemporary western world – a gift which is quite inappropriate in
itself, but by which they meant no offense, for they did not recognize the
poverty of the “American Spirit.” John Paul II, receives the gift with
gratitude, stoops down and picks these his children up. With his little game,
the Holy Father turns the crowd (what at first looked like the audience of a
rock concert) into a Christian community united in prayer.
American:
“Your Holiness, We know you recognize us for our Christian enthusiasm and joy.
Today, however, most of the world recognizes us by the way we dress. By our
jeans, by our t-shirts. We say we are different, and in doing so, we express
our individualities. For your regard for us in being here today we present you
with these symbols of ourselves. These jeans and t-shirt.”
John Paul II, “Perhaps, I
love you more!”
Also
in 1979, his Holiness visited the campus of the Catholic University of America
in Washington, DC. This man has taught the whole world how to love!
[John Paul II
holds baby (2:10)]
[the crowd of
students chants, “We love you!”]
John Paul II: “Dear
students, I love you too! … (3:20) Perhaps, I love you more! … No, so I have
one with your love. My first greeting on arriving at this campus is for you.
(4:10) To all of
you, I offer the peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am told that
you have held an all night prayer vigil … and I have slept! ... And who is
loving more?
An all night prayer vigil to ask God’s blessing on my visit. Thank
you most cordially for such a wonderful expression of communion with me on my
visit.”
2 comments:
I heard that one of his daily prayers was to ask the Holy Spirit to make him docile to His inspirations. Is this true?
Whenever I read negative things about his beatification, I think of photos like this. Thanks.
Perri
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