
From Monsignor Chieffo:
Pope Saint John Paul II devoted his life and priesthood by uniting his heart to Jesus and Mary. Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries, he accepted the death of his family by believing death is the door to eternal life. Praising God for all the joys and glories, the Holy Spirit inspired him to sacrifice his life for the good of others. God guided him to bless us with the Luminous Mysteries so that we can shine the light of Christ’s love and hope to the world. By living the Mysteries of the Rosary, John Paul stirred into flame the purifying grace of God’s Powerful Spirit (GPS) to deliver us from the evil one and become missionary disciples of love and mercy. His love for the Eucharist and adoration enabled him to radiate the light of Risen Christ to do our part in building a culture of life.
Jesus answers the Apostles who ask him to increase their faith by challenging them to be servants of compassion and mercy. Christian leaders must be the servant of the Servant of God who lives and loves through us. Faith increases when we are willing to bear our “share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” Saint Paul coaches the young Timothy: “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and wise.” The prophet Habakkuk warns us that when we eliminate God, violence and chaos reigns. Each day we must sing with the Psalmist: “If today you hear your voice, harden not your hearts.”
Praying the Luminous Mysteries, Jesus and our Blessed Mother invite us to believe we are the temples of the Holy Spirit and destined to be saints. At the Wedding Feast of Cana, Jesus changed water into wine as a sign that he can transform our human love into divine love. Saints are sinners who keep proclaiming the Kingdom of God by practicing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. At the Transfiguration, God reveals his son’s divinity and reminds that we are his beloved sons and daughters who carry within us the dying and rising of Christ. Each time we celebrate Eucharist, we become who we receive, the Body and Blood of Christ.
If we want to build a culture of life, pray the Rosary with the passion of Saint John Paul II and Elizabeth Kindelmann to enkindle the hearts of those you love with faith and hope: “With this Flame of Love full of graces that I give you from my heart, ignite all the hearts in the entire country. Let this Flame go from heart to heart. This is the miracle igniting the blaze whose dazzling light will blind Satan.”