Saturday, April 02, 2005

On the Pontiff

I am not a Catholic. I am not a Christian. I have strong disagreements with the Catholic Church, the institution of religion and using religion as a cover for intolerance and bigotry. I am not anti-religion, I like religion and I like the comfort it offers so many people. I respect the religious and as long as they don't try and convert me or tell me Jesus wouldn't want me smoking weed, all is well.

Yet the approaching death of the Pope touches me and has moved me to tears a few times already. I've been watching the three news channels since 1:30 PM yesterday with only two short breaks for 2 games of PS2 Jeopardy. It's impossible not to feel a tinge of religious spirituality watching all this.

What an amazing man, what a life he's led right up until now. What a spirit he must have to still be alive after all of it, it's mind boggling. I cave like a wuss with PMS, next time I'll try to suck it up a bit.

Wow. As I'm typing this the Pope just died. And I kid you not, just since they said the Pope died the wind just picked up. Yah yah, I know but there was NO wind and now there is and it's big wind.

Who's to say, ya know? I

It does make me sad. He lived a long life and accomplished more than any one other human being and I have no real reason to be sad but his death is just so big. He went through so much in his life, I don't know if he was touched by God or not but he was a one of a kind man who broke barriers while staying true to all he believed.

I don't feel right sitting at the computer. I don't want to go off and pray but I feel disrespectful sitting here. I think I'm going to go watch it rain on the park and let a tear or two fall and think about the life of Karol Wojtyla and his legacy.

1. I also have been holding a personal vigil of watching and silently praying for his peaceful passing.  I am truly upset that he has gone, but believe that he has accomplished so much while he was here, that he has deserved his rest, his peace.

   I also do not believe in all that the Catholic Church currently touts.  I did not agree with everything that Pope John Paul II espoused.  He was a very complex man, sometimes liberal, sometimes staunchly conservative.  I thank God that he was the Pope while he was, for he has made a difference in the lives of millions about the world.

   I am also touched by the nonstop outpouring of emotions and caring and faith for this man at Vatican City.  A testimony to the greatness of John Paul II as a man, not just Pope.  I somehow felt like I wished like I was there, to share in the vigil, the waiting, the praying, the hope for him.

    on  04/02  at  04:32 PM

2. He was truely a great man. He’s served as the focal point for many, many people, and given them hope in dark times, on holidays, and just every day. I’m not religious either, but I can respect someone who serves his convictions and beliefs as strongly as he did.

   Death is never an easy thing to take, be it a complete stranger, a celebrity, or a family member. But, looking at what that person did for those around them is what’s important. What their life brought to the world. Sometimes its tiny, but its still important. Sometimes its huge, and it allows others to bring what they are supposed to to the world. All in all, its the order of life, we all only have so long to live in this universe.

   I hope that everyone, be them of the same faith, or totally against it can take just a second of their day and acknowledge what this one man did.

   And maybe learn from it.

   Coyote  on  04/02  at  05:02 PM
Page 1 of 1 pages

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Smileys

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?