Everyday Lessons from St. John Paul II
“The most beautiful and stirring adventure that can happen to you is the personal meeting with Jesus, who is the only one who gives meaning to our lives” (St. John Paul II).
St. John Paul II is one of my favorite saints.
Most of my memories of Pope John Paul II are at the end of his life as he was suffering physically yet radiating such joy. Watching him on TV, you just knew that he had discovered the meaning of life and was sharing that secret with the world. Even at a young age, I knew I wanted that joy, peace, and happiness; I wanted to live in that freedom, and I still do.
That is at the heart of John Paul II’s life and mission: his complete and total surrender to the Father’s will. John Paul II’s utter surrender came through personally meeting, and forming a relationship with, Jesus Christ. It was saying “yes” again and again and again, following the Lord on the adventure that the Father had created for him.
It is John Paul II’s trust in the Lord’s promises and goodness that continues to strike me today. John Paul II endured so much evil and suffering throughout his life that it would be easy to shut down and be bitter and angry. He would have had every right to do so. But he didn’t; he turned to Mother Mary and Jesus Christ, placing his suffering at their feet and opening his heart to the Father’s unconditional love.
There is much we can learn from this great saint. John Paul II played a significant role both globally and within local and domestic churches throughout the world. But I believe some of the most important lessons of a life with Christ come from the ordinary, everyday moments John Paul II lived. The ordinary, everyday moments are where we personally meet Christ and grow in holiness. It’s the everyday that builds up our relationship with Him. John Paul II did not dismiss the ordinary, mundane moments. Rather, he invited the Lord into those moments and allowed the Holy Spirit to move through him.
And we can too.
St. John Paul II is a model of holiness who teaches us that we, too, can learn to completely surrender to the Lord by submitting to His will in the ordinary, everyday moments. We can celebrate this saint’s feast day by following his lead in living in the ordinary, everyday moments with great faithfulness and joy.
Here are a few ideas to help you celebrate.
Get Outdoors
John Paul II was a great lover of nature and outdoor sports like hiking, canoeing, and skiing. The outdoors was one of the places he most saw and experienced the goodness of God. We do not have to travel up to the mountains or beaches to sit with God’s beauty. A tech-free walk or a few moments sitting in the yard, taking in the natural beauty around us, will do. Start by finding a nearby park where you can sit quietly and simply be present to the people and nature around you.
Appreciate the Arts
A poet, actor, and writer, John Paul II had a deep appreciation for the arts and artists. While we are not all called to be artists, we, too, can appreciate art that leads us to Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Fill your home or workspace with art that inspires you to reflect on and appreciate the beauty of God. Read literature, listen to beautiful music, or even create your own art. For inspiration, look to Sacred Scripture. The Word of God is the perfect place to start when you’re trying to immerse yourself in the beauty of both revelation and the created world.
Play
John Paul II never seemed to lose his childlike faith and wonder. He took the time to have fun, play, and cultivate a healthy sense of humor. Playtime gets harder as adults. Schedules, expectations, and responsibilities often consume us. And in some cases, none of us ever learned to play well. We need to make time to learn how to put down our phones and engage in life-giving, healthy leisure. Maybe it’s an outdoor activity or going out dancing. Maybe it’s painting or reading. Regardless of the specific activity, what matters is that we find a space to feel free to be who God created us to be.
Foster Friendships
It is said that saints come in pairs. And St. John Paul II and St. Teresa of Calcutta are beautiful models of a friendship centered on Jesus Christ. We are not meant to journey alone; we need community and friends who are walking with the Lord. It is okay if you only have one or two friends who are walking with you; it is not the quantity of friends, but the quality of the friendship that matters. Let us find friends who are striving for holiness alongside us.
Pray
Prayer was the heart of John Paul II’s relationship with Christ. He lived the sacramental life of receiving the Eucharist and frequenting confession. He was often found spending hours in Adoration, prostrated before the Blessed Sacrament.
John Paul II constantly prayed; he saw prayer as his first and most important duty to shepherding the Church. Prayer was his communion with the Lord. And prayer is our communion with the Lord, too. It is through prayer that we have a relationship with the Lord. It is the heartbeat of the Christian life.
Today on St. John Paul II’s Feast Day, find one ordinary, everyday moment to live out. A personal meeting with Jesus Christ is a beautiful adventure that leads to a lifelong communion with the Lord. Where is the Lord personally meeting you? What adventure is He calling you to today?
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.