Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope

REFLECTION:

In today's Gospel, Jesus says something rather interesting: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!"

I think this verse fits very well with today's saint, as we celebrate the Memorial of St. John Paul II, Pope.

When I think of St. John Paul II, I think of someone who really set the world on fire with his faith. Think about it. When he was elected pope in 1978, he surprised the world. He was the first non Italian pope in 455 years. And not only that, he came from Poland, a country that was under communist rule at the time.

Here was a man who had experienced the horrors of World War II, lived through religious persecution, and knew what it meant to live in a society where freedom was restricted. And yet, this man would go on to inspire millions of people throughout the world.

One of the things I remember most about John Paul II was his connection with young people. He had this incredible ability to inspire them, to make them excited about their Catholic faith. Look at World Youth Day! What began during his pontificate became one of the largest gatherings of young Catholics in the world. And even today, World Youth Day continues to inspire young people to encounter Christ.

Think about how many young men were inspired to enter the priesthood because of him. How many young women were inspired to religious life? How many people rediscovered their faith because of his witness? He inspired an entire generation!

And this brings us back to today's Gospel. Jesus says, "I have come to set the earth on fire." Now, Jesus is not talking about literally burning down the world. Otherwise, we would have a serious problem with our insurance company! He is talking about the fire of God's love, the fire of faith, the fire of the Holy Spirit. A fire that transforms hearts and changes lives. And that is what John Paul II allowed Christ to do through him.

At World Youth Day in 2000, John Paul II recalled the words of St. Catherine of Siena: "If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!" I love that quote because it reminds us that we do not have to be someone famous, powerful, or important to make a difference in the world. We simply have to become the person God created us to be.

Not everyone is called to be pope. Not everyone is called to be a priest or religious. But every one of us is called to holiness. And we can set the world on fire right where we are. In our families, in our classrooms, in our workplaces, and in our parish.

My friends, St. John Paul II did not set the world on fire because he was pope. He set the world on fire because he allowed Christ to set his own heart on fire. And so perhaps the question for us today is this: We often ask God to change the world, but are we willing to let God change us first? Because when the fire of Christ begins in our hearts, we never know how far that fire will spread.

St. John Paul II, pray for us!