Homily: Death of Pope John Paul II
“The Successor of the Apostles:  A Man of Integrity and Holiness”
April 2, 2005
by Fr. William Holtzinger

The Scripture we heard proclaimed today in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:42-47) comes early in the text and early in the life of the Church. It reveals to us, as through a window in time, what the idealized life of the first Church was like. We hear that they devoted themselves to the teachings of the Apostles and the communal life in order to be faithful followers. We hear that they shared their goods, devoted themselves to prayer, and especially celebrated around a common table in the “breaking of the bread.” It sounds as though there was no fighting or arguments, but a more careful reading of the Acts of the Apostles will reveal that they were not dissimilar to us. They struggled quite a bit. They’re struggles may not have been about morality so much, but the very identity of Jesus, something we take for granted today. Indeed, it was Jesus who, as we hear in the Gospel of John today (John 20:19-31), gave the Apostles authority in the community we call the Church. That authority is shocking to many. As a priest, it is a heavy weight on my shoulders to be entrusted with the spiritual gift of forgiving sins. But ultimately, the early Church would look to Peter to guide them as the head of the Apostles. And so it continued through the coming 2000 years until today with Pope John Paul II, the Vicar (representative) of Christ and the Successor of the Apostles.

This weekend the world turns its attention to the events in the Vatican where Pope John Paul II has died. To offer a reflection about the man, the only Pope whom I have known in my adolescent and adult life, will certainly fall short. But, I beg your patience to make an attempt.

Pope John Paul II was a man of integrity and holiness. As one of the architects of the Second Vatican Council, it only seems fitting that he would be the one who would work so tirelessly to make sure that it was implemented in our time. A herald of the consistent teaching of the Church he, unlike any pope before him, fought to bring to light the social dimension of the teachings of Christ. George Weigel, his official biographer, said of him that he was "not simply the man of this century, but the prophet of the new millennium." Pope John Paul II preached a New Evangelization to a new world, a postmodern world He was an outspoken man for the value of human life from conception to death. He frequently spoke on the dignity of the human person, the evils of war and violence, the sin of oppressive regimes, who we are as sexual beings, and the moral life. He wrote some 14 encyclicals , 13 apostolic exhortations , 11 apostolic constitutions, 42 apostolic letters, and published three books. He hosted over 16.7 million people in his Wednesday General audiences, proclaimed 469 people to be saints, and has travel more than any pope in history. These are just some of the accomplishments which our Holy Father has gifted to the Church and the world.

Now is the time for the College of Cardinals to gather, to pray, and to elect a new pope. But, please do not be under any misunderstanding, they are not just electing a pope alone. No! The Church also prays for them --you and me-- we pray for the Cardinals. But even then, it is not just about us. It is about the Holy Spirit. Let us pray that the Cardinals will be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and discern whom it should be that will lead our Church in the time ahead. As of today, the cardinals have 15 days to gather together. If after 20 days not all have made it, they are to go ahead with the election.

Pope John Paul II, the Successor of Peter has died and we are here like the early Church, gathered around the table and breaking bread. May God bless the soul of John Paul II. May be finally receive the rest and reward of his tireless labors in faith. May the angels come to greet him and take him to the bosom of Abraham. May today be the birthday of a new life for him in heaven.