Today is a memorable day in the catholic world-Pope, John Paul II’s, official beatified. Here is a little story that illustrates what a little drop of water can do to increase the level of the ocean.
A man died, was buried and went to the judgment seat of God. As he took his place in the queue, he took no comfort from the judgments he heard being handed out. To one person the Lord said. ‘Enter… because I was hungry and you game me food; to another ‘come… I was a stranger, and you took me in; to a third, ‘I was sick and you visited me.’ More and more people came and the lord gave them rewards for the kind works they have done while on earth.
The dead man became dejected because he couldn’t see clearly any kind work he had done while on earth.
Then came the dead man’s turn and the lord looked at him kindly and said; ‘like you, I was once dejected and downcast and you told me funny stories; I was depressed and you made me laugh… come on in you are blessed.
There are issues of much debate concerning the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Some have criticized John Paul II's handling of the Church's child sex abuse scandal as poor. According to the Vatican, he could not have been expected to do something about events he knew nothing of.
Pope John Paul II will be remembered as one of the great Popes of modern times says a BBC correspondent in Rome. Like our friend in the story, he was not the most perfect of them all; however, he left a mark telling us that we too are capable as mother Theresa of Calcutta said of becoming “a little drop in the ocean”.
SOME QUOTES FROM FROM Blessed John Paul II
"Death has its limits. Christ has opened up a great hope: the hope of life beyond the sphere of death." (John Paul II)
"Have humble and courageous awareness of what the Father has given you. Let this awareness be your strength, your light, your hope."
"Mary,Mother of beautiful love, pray for us! Teach us to love God and our brethren, as you have love them. Cause our love for others to be patient, benign, respectful." Totus Tuus Ego Sum
"What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison with the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And, without the love of Jesus, everything else is useless." (Blessed John Paul II)
"Be Not Afraid! Open up, no;... swing wide the gates to Christ. Open up to his saving power the confines of the State, open up economic and political systems, the vast empires of culture, civilization and development…. Be not afraid!"
Please pray and intercede in Heaven for all the members of AFRICAN CATHOLICS and for Africa.
Blessed John Paul II…Pray for us.