HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER - Christmas, 24 December 2001

His Holiness ^ | Dec 24 2001 | John Paul II

[spoosman]

No one is holy except God Himself. The RCC pope is a man with robes. He might be a good man with a good heart, but so are millons of others.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The RCC pope is no exception.

[Bad~Rodeo]

Amen....

[peabers]

Take your hatred somewhere else.

[Bad~Rodeo]

Merry Christmas, it's okay. GOD KNOWS..S~

[.45MAN]

Thanks for the post...Merry Christmas to everyone.

[dansangel]

Beautiful words for a beautiful and joyous day.

Merry Christmas to all!

[Cap'n Crunch]

VIVA PAPA!

A very Merry Christmas and wish of peace to all at FR.

[D-fendr]

A c hi ld is bo rn to us

Merry Christmas everyone. Christ's peace to all.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi my friends..... Thank you for the ping.....

God bless you and your loved ones.

[BlessedBeGod]

JPII BUMP!

[patent]

Bumping. Let me know if you want on or off the list. Click my screen name for a description.

patent

[Notwithstanding]

What a wonderful homily from a wonderful servant of the gospel. Thanks for posting it.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks for the post and the ping--I enjoyed reading it...the Holy Father is an amazing man...

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

"No one is holy except God Himself."

I think you are re-defining the word. "Holy" does not mean perfect, and no one claims that the Pope is perfect or sinless or God-like. In fact, I am sure that the Pope himself would be the first one to tell you that he is NOT holy, but a miserable sinner like the rest of us.

"Holy" is a term that we generally employ to describe people that we perceive to be doing their moral best. Seldom, if ever, is it used by that person him- or herself. If anything, the opposite is almost invariably the case. It is also a term we apply to things that remind us of, or bring us closer to, God. In this sense, it is applied to the Sacrments as well as to Sacramentals. A further application is a reference to those who have been especially favoured by God (the Holy Innocents, for example) or something that has been consecrated to God.

So, while "holy" does apply to God, it is a word with numerous meanings, at least some of which also apply to the Pope, both ex officio and because of the witness borne by his exemplary personal life.

And I'm suggesting this from the position of someone who does not see eye-to-eye with this Pope on every issue.

[EODGUY]

Thanks patent. I'd like to pass it on to some other friends who will enjoy it as well.

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Best Wishes for Great Blessings in the New Year!
BIS

[ThomasMore]

Thanks for the post and a belated Merry Christmas.

[onyx]

Thanks for the ping, my dear friend. I taped this year's Christmas Eve Mass and have since watched it twice!

[lds23]

Thanks for posting this.