Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Optional Memorial of St. John Paul II, Pope

Brief Background:

St. John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyła on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He was ordained a priest in 1946, became a bishop in 1958, and was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, serving until his death on April 2, 2005. His papacy lasted over 26 years, making him one of the longest-serving popes in history.

He was known for his deep spirituality, charisma, and global outreach. A strong advocate for human dignity and the sanctity of life, he played a major role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, especially in his native Poland. John Paul II also emphasized the importance of youth in the Church, initiating World Youth Day, and was a champion of interfaith dialogue and forgiveness.

He was canonized on April 27, 2014, by Pope Francis. He is the patron saint of World Youth Day, families, young Catholics and the new evangelization.

REFLECTION:

Obedience is not a popular word in our modern world. We often associate it with restriction, limitation, or losing control. Yet, St. Paul reminds us in Romans 6:12–18 that true freedom is found in obedience to God. It may seem like a paradox — how can submission lead to freedom? But that is the mystery of grace.

When Paul says we are “no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness,” he isn’t talking about being controlled or forced. He’s speaking of a relationship of love and trust. Before knowing Christ, sin held us captive; our actions often flowed from selfish desires, pride, or fear. But through baptism, we were freed — not to do whatever we please, but to live in a way that pleases God. Obedience, then, becomes our loving response to the One who set us free.

To obey God is to align our hearts with His will. It’s not blind submission but faithful surrender — trusting that God’s commands lead to life, not limitation. Think of Jesus Himself: His greatest act of obedience was in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Through His obedience, salvation entered the world.

Every day we face small “Gethsemanes” — moments when we must choose between our will and God’s. It may be in forgiving someone, staying honest when it’s hard, or saying “yes” to serve when it’s inconvenient. These choices may seem small, but each act of obedience shapes our heart to reflect Christ’s.



So today, let’s remember:

• Obedience is not bondage; it’s belonging.
• Obedience is not about control; it’s about trust.
• Obedience is not weakness; it’s strength in humility.

When we obey God, we say “yes” to the freedom that only grace can give.