Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Inauguration of the Shrine to Saint John Paul II
St Patrick’s Church, East Gosford
Saturday 22 October 2022
Forty-four years ago today, Saint John Paul II solemnly began his ministry and the mission of Peter as Bishop of Rome. It was the first time, in almost two-thousand-years, that a son of Poland was chosen as Pope. From the very beginning of his 27-year Pontificate, with an indefatigable spirit, John Paul II urged the people of God, to look to Christ, the redeemer ofhumankind and saviour of the world.
In his homily for the Inauguration of his Petrine ministry, he reminded us that “Our time calls us, urges us, obliges us to gaze on the Lord and immerse ourselves in humble and devout meditation on the mystery of the supreme power of Christ himself.” (John Paul II Homily 22.X.1978)
This declaration is as relevant today as it was when it was voiced 44 years ago!
While the Saint’s words are compelling, they are also invitational. With prophetic vision, he knew that what he said to the bishops and clergy, the lay faithful and religious of the Church, of course applied first to himself, as Shepherd of the Universal Church.
He made a fervent, humble, and trusting prayer: “Christ, make me become and remain the servant of your unique power, the servant of your sweet power, the servant of your power that knows no eventide. Make me be a servant. Indeed, the servant of your servants.” (JP2 Homily 22.X.1978)
The Gospel for today speaks about the last encounter of Jesus with his disciples. (John 21:15-17) It was an encounter of celebration, marked by tenderness and affection. Having made his disciples breakfast, which was an act of love and service, Jesus calls Peter and asks him three times: “Do you love me?” Only after having received the affirmative response three times does Jesus entrusts to Peter the mission of shepherd and servant.
In order to be able to take up our mission in the Church, Jesus does not ask us many things. What he asks of us is to have much love! Love is the foundation of the mission.
To love is, above all, a profound experience of relationship among persons in which there are similar sentiments and values: joy, sadness, suffering, growth, renunciation, dedication, fulfilment, gift, commitment, life, death.
The Shrine which we inaugurate today, must first and foremost, be a sanctuary of love, because love was the very centre of the life and ministry of Saint John Paul II. His deep faith and apostolic courage were only possible because he was utterly convinced that he was loved first by God. (cf.1 John 4:19)
It was this love, genuinely lived by a man of great human charisma, which was so attractive to others. So much so, that his life and ministry gave courage to believers across the world, to live the Christian vocation, without fear. In a word: he helped us not to fear the truth, because truth is the guarantee of freedom. To put it even more succinctly: he gave us the strength to believe in Christ. (cf. Benedict XVI Homily 1.V.2011)
Then, believing in Christ, he encouraged us, by his own example, to dialogue with the world, so that all people may know the truth and love of Jesus Christ. Like the great Apostle Paul, Saint John Paul II reminds us that if we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ. (cf. Ephesians 4:7-15)
I am confident that this Shrine, along with the Saint John Paul II Pastoral Centre, will become one of the great Pilgrimage places in Australia. It will be a place for all people, believer and non-believer alike, to seek the truth of the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ; the only news which is good for everyone.
To seek the Truth is to be willing to learn, to think, and to believe. The Truth about something, is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented.
For the believer, this may mean shaking loose from those bothersome divisions and nonessential trimmings that one might cling to, so as to realise one’s full potential as a disciple of Christ.
For the non-believer, it may mean stepping out from behind ideological bigotry or religious intolerance, in order to put aside loathsome prejudice.
For both, it is an invitation to engage in respectful dialogue. Without a doubt, both will have their challenges. Both with cause a certain agitation or vulnerability.
However, the newfound freedom that arises from dialogue in truth and love, is the grace of renewal in Christ and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
By his openness to the power of the Holy Spirit and cooperating in the saving work of Christ, Saint John Paul II guided the Church into the Third Millennium. He did so with utter fidelity to the Word of God and to the Doctrine of the Faith.
It is my hope that this Shrine, will be a place whereby pilgrims might remain in the great silence before God, and with Saint John Paul II as a holy companion, that silence will become prayer. (cf. JP2 Homily 22.X.1978)
Through his heavenly intercession, he once again accompanies us in our universal vocation to the heights of Christian life, to holiness. (cf. Lumen gentium 39)
Through this place, may all on the pilgrim way to heaven, find in Saint John Paul II a brother and friend, a teacher and guide, a companion and shepherd.
Let us conclude with the words of Pope Francis who reminds us that, “Saint John Paul II cooperated with the Holy Spirit in renewing and updating the Church in keeping with her pristine features, those features which the saints have given her throughout the centuries. Let us not forget that it is the saints who give direction and growth to the Church.” (Francis Homily 27.IV.2014)
Saint John Paul II, pray for us.