Perseverance <br/><br/>

When Pope John Paul II arrived at Toronto for World Youth Day, youths exclaimed, “John Paul II, we love you!”  The Pope is popular among the youths, partly because he loves them, but also because he displays perseverance through living his life.  He walked down the steps of the aircraft that brought him to Toronto rather than relying on the cargo lift.<br/><br/>

Recently, the media has been debating heatedly why the Pope couldn’t just retire, all the while ignoring the fact that he is actually a living witness to the world. <br/><br/>

At noon on February 6, the Pope read out a brief address before the midday Angelus prayers.  Speaking through an aide, the Pope, who went through tracheotomy, said: “Even from a hospital bed, I continue to lead the Catholic Church.”<br/><br/>

Jean Vanier, founder of the L’arche communities for the disabled, spoke to Vatican Radio, saying, “Today the Pope, more than with any encyclical, or any other writing, is a sign of holiness with his presence.   He is a man who suffers.  There is in him something that is extraordinarily luminous and limpid. The Pope is the sign of what Christianity is.”  Vanier also said that the Pope exemplifies St. Paul's statement, “Strength is made perfect in weakness.”<br/><br/>

Let us continue to pray for the health of our Pope.  At the same time, we should learn to live with perseverance like our dear Pope.