John Paul II’s heart like that of Christ, Cardinal Medina says

Vatican City, Apr 17, 2005 / 22:00 pm

During the last novendiali Mass for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, Proto-deacon of the College of Cardinals and Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, said the heart of Pope John Paul II was like the Heart of Jesus.

The Chilean cardinal, who will be the one to make the “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”) announcement to the world, began his homily speaking for the whole Church, saying, “our sentiments towards him are of gratitude, veneration and joy, for the grace of having lived an important part of our earthly pilgrimage under the guidance of this excellent pastor, a faithful icon of He who is the Good Shepherd and guardian of our souls.”

Cardinal Medina recalled how John Paul II celebrated the Eucharist: “Those of us who observed how John Paul II celebrated the Most Holy Eucharist have the clear perception of how, for him, the offering of his life, united to the offering of Jesus, was the center of his existence.  John Paul II as truly a Eucharistic man, modeled after the example of Mary.”

Noting especially the late Popes vast body of teaching, his apostolic dedication, his love of the poor, his concern for peace, his “predilection for youth and for families,” and “his untiring defense of life,” Cardinal Medina said, “Truly the heart of John Paul II was like the Heart of Jesus.”

He also mentioned the Pope’s great awareness of the mercy of God: “John Paul II was very conscious of the need of all mankind to trust in the mercy of God, and it was this conviction that led him to establish the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday.  It was this same conviction that led him to come to this Basilica every Good Friday to bestow the Sacrament of Penance.”

Cardinal Medina dedicated the final words of his homily directly to the late Pope, saying, “John Paul II, faithful and wise servant, enter, through the merits of Jesus Christ, into the joy of the Lord! Adore Him, contemplate His face, and carry His name on your forehead.  There will be no more night for you, nor will you ever have need of light or of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate you, and you shall reign with all of the saints forever and ever!”