A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day...04-07-05...Some of the Words of Pope John Paul II

JohnHuang2;dutchess | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

Some of the words of Pope John Paul II

by JohnHuang2

With the death of Pope John Paul II, I'm giving politics a breather this somber week. I'm well aware that, on matters of faith and politics, not everyone saw eye-to-eye with him, or with any pope for that matter. Yet, on keynote Culture of Life issues, and on matters of family across the board, we shared much in common, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. In his teachings there was, on balance, much more that united than divided us. Evangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network, called him "the most beloved religious leader of our age -- far surpassing in popular admiration the leader of any faith." Wanda Franz, president of the National Right to Life Committee, put it this way: "Pope John Paul II was an unfaltering voice for the unborn, the disabled and the elderly and was a strong defender of the right to life. His stalwart opposition to the evils of abortion, infanticide and euthanasia was grounded in compassion and love and he will be deeply missed."

President Bush, who led the nation in mourning Saturday in a televised address, said this: "The Catholic Church has lost its Shepard, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home . . . Throughout the West, John Paul's witness reminded us of our obligation to build a culture of life in which the strong protect the weak. And during the pope's final years, his witness was made even more powerful by his daily courage in the face of illness and great suffering."

On this solemn week, I thought I'd put together some of John Paul's most memorable quotes, as posted at WikiQuote.org:

The cemetery of the victims of human cruelty in our century is extended to include yet another vast cemetery, that of the unborn.

~~~~~~~~~~

Man always travels along precipices. His truest obligation is to keep his balance.

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The truth is not always the same as the majority decision.

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Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.

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The worst prison would be a closed heart.

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Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them in their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family -- the domestic church.

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An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie guarded.

~~~~~~~~~~

When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society.

~~~~~~~~~~

When you wonder about the mystery of yourself, look to Christ, who gives you the meaning of life. When you wonder what it means to be a mature person, look to Christ, who is the fulfillness of humanity. And when you wonder about your role in the future of the world, look to Christ

.

As you know, President Bush, who met with the pope three times during his first term, will be in Rome Friday to attend the funeral. He becomes the first U.S. president to do so. It is "my great honor, on behalf of our country, to express our gratitude to the Almighty for such a man," the President said Monday.

As a Bush supporter and a Catholic, I've never been prouder. Thank you, Mr. President.

And may the Holy Father rest in peace.

And that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-04-05...Military Monday 04-06-05...Hello Dolly! 04-07-05...Smiles from our Furry Friends

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

[Temple Owl]

ping

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

SEARCH — A U.S. Army soldier, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, searches the vehicle of a suspect, in Yusafya, Iraq, March 27, 2005. The target is a police officer suspected of recruiting insurgents into the police force for terrorist actions. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.

050405-N-3150G-004 Pacific Ocean (Apr. 5, 2005) - Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II’s, assigned to the "Nightmare" of Marine Attack Squadron Five One Three (VMA-513), await the signal to launch from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). VMA-513 is embarked aboard Peleliu conducting air operations off the coast of Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Timothy Gunther (RELEASED)

Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, carefully walk down a mountain on the way to conduct a cordon and search in order to find any enemy weapons caches that might be hidden in the village during a security operation in Khowst Province in Afghanistan, on March 30, 2004. 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines is conducting security and stabilization operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Official Photo by: CORPORAL JAMES YARBORO, 3RD MARINE DIVISION, FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan.

[tuliptree76]

Thank you, JohnHuang2. That is a beautiful tribute.

Beautiful presentation, dutchess.

[tuliptree76]

Thank you for the Our Daily Bread post, Mayor. :-)

[Billie]

Once again, the two of you have presented a very moving tribute, beautifully written and illustrated. Thank you both. Saw your mail about a pledge graphic, dutchess, and this made a really nice and pretty one, Lori.

Hugs to all!

[Diver Dave]

A Beautiful presentation honoring Pope John Paul II.

I, too, am not a Roman Catholic. The impressions I have retained over the years of the Pope have been that he was truly a man called by GOD. A man always willing and able to present the Gospel (Good News) of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Ever a humble man directing followers of the faith to worship the LORD and not himself.

May we all be ever willing and able to bear witness to others that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of GOD.

[deadhead]

I am Roman Catholic, Pope John Paul II inspired me, he was a wonderful man.
God Bless Pope John Paul II

A couple of more photos:

[deadhead]

Thank you for the link

[dutchess]

Hi Johm. Forgot to say today's essay was awesome. It was a joy to illustrate. Thanks for sharing your wisdom every week at the finest!

[dutchess]

Hi Colleen. Thanks for your contributions today. Kind of a slow day at the Finest...LOTS of stuff going on today!

Just glanced through yesterdays thread. Was that lovely lucy with the New Years mask on????

[dutchess]

In response to many. I'm Catholic plus all four grandparents immigrated from Poland in their teens. Had the trip of a lifetime visiting relatives there about 10 years ago. Pope John Paul was clearly a lead figure in the civil uprise in Poland that led to the end of communism there.

[dutchess]

Hi tulip. Thanks for the kudos. A GREAT john essay today!

[dutchess]

Thanks as always for posting those wonderful pictures of our military!

[dutchess]

Hi sistahs. Billie...today was truly a group effort. Aqua already sent me links to lots of pictures which relieved my stress level as I was tied up all day at work...PLUS the table commands (I hadn't even looked at the essay yet) Then got the pledge from Lori! Somehow I messed up and had a total black background in half of a table and was ready to freep/email you...but worked it out All by MYSELF! Mr. D. was definately impressed :o)Anyway, it's definately a family affair.

Dolly...just wanted to share this...just know we are all there for you!

[dutchess]

Thanks for the link Salvation (and for all you do on FR!)

[dutchess]

Hey....thanks both of you for stopping by and your kudos. John nails it again. Always glad when you stop by at the Finest!

[Temple Owl]

I'm Catholic plus all four grandparents immigrated from Poland in their teens.

I'll bet you had the greatest Easter dinner of anybody on the FreeRepublic--except for me. I had kielbasa, hrutka, ham.pierogis,homemade bread, holupkis and all the other good stuff. Guess where my wife's family originated? Nope, not Poland, the Ukraine.

[dutchess]

I'll bet you had the greatest Easter dinner of anybody on the FreeRepublic--except for me. I had kielbasa, hrutka, ham.pierogis,homemade bread, holupkis and all the other good stuff.

yum! kielbasa and pierogis here.... Plus, Ukraine, Poland....all basically the same style food with various twists... (Cute.. my grandmother almost didn't marry my grandfather because his family was from the "russian" part of Poland.) A very rich history is Poland!

[DollyCali]

thanks for the PLAY BY PLAY scramble like crazy scenario.. it reads funny, but I know it wasn't at time for you. I am sure I will be emailing/calling etc a lot those first months. Nice that Billie is my "proofer" for a bit...

I have not been here much today. In addition to major surgery on computer.. the power was off here twice. 6 hours total. I still have a lot of things to install & download (a laborious chore with modem/old & slow computer)

I am still having a pity party of sorts for not being able to make it to DC (the two men who could drive both backed out at last minute with work situations.. which I understand.. my last minute scrambling didn't turn out as well as your Dutchess.

My most recent mama kitty will not win mother of year awards. She has eaten all but one of her kittens. Like silence of the lambs - cat style.. kitten heads in kennel.. ugh. I have put that remaining kitten in with a litter (older /bigger) not sure how it will fare but at least it has a chance of not being mistaken for meow-mix.

need to crash.. want to get up to see the funeral, if it will be on network

[jwfiv]

Thank you, Dutchess, for your presentation of JH2's thoughtful, beautiful 2 Cents.

Thank you, JH2.

We have been lucky in our lives to witness the works of truly great men and women who have changed the world.

John Paul II will be remembered and revered for centuries to come.

I do like the reference to him as John Paul the Great ... it has that same, good ring to it that Ronaldus Magnus does.

I think the Gipper will be remembered and recognized for centuries to come also ... both he and the Pope, along with Lady Thatcher, engineered the collapse of the USSR and brought down the Iron Curtain ... history will not forget that, though many Lefties deny it today.

I saw the Pope when he came to Phoenix, I think it was in '87 ... he stood on the balcony of St. Mary's Church and spoke to us all ... I couldn't understand much, as his voice bounced off and around the tall buildings of downtown .. but I still remember the tiny figure cloaked in white.

A few years earlier, right after my transformation into the conservative me, I placed newspaper photos of him on one wall of my apartment, which was papered with articles and pictures that informed and inspired, and provoked my many still liberal friends.

My favorite was the photo of him visiting his would-be assasin in the jail cell.

He was a man who lived the Word.

By word and sacrifice, he tread the Via Dolorasa for all to see, teaching us the value of life and the nobility of forgiveness.

He heard his Master's call, and obeyed.

I feel great grief, joy and gratitude for having him be part of my life, helping me keep my balance along the precipice.

I'm quite sure that Heaven broke out the best wine upon his arrival at the Pearly Gates ... and like to think the Gipper had already saddled up a fine horse to give him a ride through the fields of green and gold, and a tour of his Eternal Abode

They both look down upon us now, and smile, for they know that, for all the world's troubles, it is good ... and worthy of redemption.

May God bless us, each and every one.