Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Pope John Paul II, an incredible man who died in 2005 and was a lover of youth, spiritual father to the world, brother in Christ, and the adopted and devoted son of God and Mary. JP2, as he's lovingly known, once said, "Dear young people, let yourselves be taken over by the light of Christ, and spread that light wherever you are." Have you ever known someone who just seems to radiate love, joy, and peace? Who is striving to be so close to Jesus that they literally radiate His love? It's like you could know they're in love with him just by hearing them speak. That was JP2, and that's what he, as the pope, wanted for all of us.
You are called to be someone who is filled with that light of Christ. Not just filled by it, but taken over by it!! Our love for Christ should be so evident that all who encounter us can see Christ's love, joy, peace, and mercy within our souls. It seems overwhelming at first. We all fail at doing this! I certainly do. I'm young, and I'm still learning. In fact, I doubt I'll never ever be happy all the time until Jesus brings me to Heaven someday!! But happiness is not the goal. Joy is the goal. Love is the goal. Fear, anxiety, depression, illness, worry, stress, sadness, or anything of the sort need not steal our joy and peace. They aren't from God. He's greater than all of that! He defeated death, for goodness sake! He's got this!! His light always shines. If we let Him work through us and resolve to be undeterred by the things, circumstances, feelings, and people of this world that try to blow out the candle radiating the Light of Christ within us, then we too, as Pope St. John Paul II did, continuously shine the light of Christ's love, joy, peace, and mercy to our world!
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