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MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN PAUL II, SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, OCTOBER 22, 2022

Writer's picture:  Olivia M. Bannan Olivia M. Bannan

(1920-2005)



A reading from the holy Gospel according to LK 13:1-9


Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them– do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

The Gospel of the Lord


REFLECTION

‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future.


Karol Josef Wojtyla was born in Poland. He lived during World War II and suffered under the German occupation of Poland. He saw the cruelty of man and he fought back. As a priest he led a very active pastoral and academic role in Poland after the war. He was pope from 1978 until 2005.


During his pontificate he showed an apostolic zeal for families, young people and the sick. He visited many countries. He played a large role in ending Communism, inaugurated World Youth Day and promulgated Divine Mercy Sunday. Quite significant is the fact that he died on the eve of Divine Mercy. The Church celebrates his accomplishments with an optional memorial along side the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Saturdays are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Pope John Paul II had a special devotion to Mother Mary. In fact, he credits her for saving his life in the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. He was shot four times on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima in St Peter's Square in Vatican City. Pope John Paul II made a special trip to Fatima to place one bullet in her crown of the image of Our Lady of Fatima, in the sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal.


A favorite quote is the following:


The Rosary is

our daily meeting

which neither I

nor the Blessed Virgin Mary

neglect.

(St John Paul II)


Pope John Paul II evangelized the world during his fruitful pontificate. He was a walking example how to not lose hope, how to live with a devastating illness (Parkinsons) and how to never give up. One can still see the fruits of his work.


God Bless You



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