On the gathered Apostles in the Upper Room, as St. Luke writes in the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit. Thus began a new stage – the time of the Church, which, enlivened by the gift from heaven, began proclaiming the joyful news of salvation in Christ. The Holy Spirit, through His gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord, enables the faithful to maturely engage in the world.
On this solemnity, we remember our great saint John Paul II, whose 10th anniversary of canonization and 104th birthday we celebrated. We also want to recall his figure in the context of this great feast. I must admit, I feel a bit helpless in choosing what to highlight from his life and work. I decided to focus on the Word of God from today’s feast of Pentecost and select a few words that were important to John Paul II. It seems to me that he learned the significance of many words in Poland that significantly influenced his Petrine ministry. He learned these important words in our country and in our Church. Therefore, we should reflect on them and ask ourselves whether our Polish Christianity leads to the same values, the same love, and the same understanding of what is important.
1. Home and Family
On Pentecost, from the Upper Room emerged a community where we undeniably find the seed of the Church. We also remember that this community met in the Upper Room 50 days earlier to celebrate Passover. At that time, we must look at them as a family because Passover was always celebrated within a family. The beginning of the Church thus has familial ties. Later, when communities formed, Christians gathered in homes.
The family is a model of the Church. It is where the Church is born, where faith is passed on, where a person matures into their humanity and learns what it means to be a believing person. All this grew out of the Polish experience, from what family means in our Polish thinking, in our values. Family in Polish society is the most important value.
John Paul II, in his teachings on family, love, and human sexuality – contained in the theology of the body – described this already in Poland, in his book “Love and Responsibility”. In the “Letter to Families” he wrote: “Through the family passes the history of humanity, the history of the salvation of mankind.” In the apostolic exhortation Familiaris consortio, he stated: “The welfare of the family is decisive for the welfare of the Church.” John Paul II understood the importance of the family and always defended its values.
2. Evangelization
On Pentecost, the Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, go out to evangelize. This word set our Pope in motion. He tirelessly traveled to the ends of the world to preach the Gospel.
John Paul II emphasized that Europe needs a new evangelization. He spoke of the need to re-establish the cross as a sign of the Gospel. He pointed out that it is our responsibility for Europe to proclaim the Gospel anew to everyone living on this continent. He first spoke about the new evangelization in Nowa Huta in 1979.
3. Witness
Pope Francis, at the canonization of John Paul II, spoke about the testimony of his prayer. During his last pilgrimage to Poland, in Kalwaria and on Wawel, John Paul II prayed in absolute silence for a full hour. It was a testimony of his deep faith.
John Paul II also worked heroically, corresponding with thousands of people. His letters, often handwritten on envelopes, were a sign of respect for the person. He wrote letters to people of various states and professions, including the simplest people, helping them in everyday matters.
On the solemnity of Pentecost, we remember that the Holy Spirit is given to us in an immeasurable dimension. John Paul II, through his intercession to Mary and his complete surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is for us an example of how to open ourselves to His action.
Amen.
