Feast of Saint John Paul II

Reflection Date: October 22, 2026 | Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope
Daily Readings: Ephesians 3:14-21; Luke 12:49-53

Children of God:
October 22 is the feast day of Saint John Paul II.

Before he became Pope John Paul II, he was a young Polish man whose life was marked by personal loss, political oppression, and a deep love for his people. 

Born in Poland, in 1920, he lost his mother when he was nine years old and his older brother when he was a young man. His father, who became his closest remaining family member, died during the Second World War, leaving him to face life without his immediate family. 

As a young student, he loved literature, poetry, theater, and the Polish language, and he dreamed of pursuing a career in the arts. 

When Nazi Germany occupied Poland in 1939, universities were closed, and he worked in a quarry and later in a chemical factory to avoid deportation while continuing his clandestine studies. 

Amid the dangers of occupation, he discerned a vocation to the priesthood and secretly studied at an underground seminary. 

He was ordained a priest in 1946 and later served as a university chaplain, professor, bishop, and archbishop during the communist regime, which often placed the Church under pressure. 

He became known for his close relationship with young people, his philosophical depth, and his defense of human dignity and religious freedom. 

In 1978, he was elected pope, becoming the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. 

During his papacy, he traveled extensively, challenged oppressive political systems, promoted dialogue among peoples, and called the world to defend human dignity, even after an assassination attempt in 1981. 

In the gospel story of Luke, Jesus spoke of bringing fire upon the earth and warned that his mission would sometimes divide even members of the same family, because his message demanded decisions that people would not always agree on.

What are our inspirations for today?

First, do what is right even when people disagree with you.

Jesus spoke about bringing division because his message demanded a response. 

He knew that people would not always agree about the truth, the demands of God's kingdom, or the changes required in their lives. Even within families, people could find themselves on opposite sides because one person embraced his message while another rejected it. 

Jesus made it clear that following him could involve painful disagreements and difficult choices (Luke 12:51–53).

We experience similar situations in our everyday lives. A person who refuses to participate in workplace dishonesty may be called difficult by colleagues. A young person who chooses a responsible lifestyle may be mocked by friends. A family member who speaks against an unfair decision may be accused of causing trouble. 

Sometimes, the person who tries to do what is right receives criticism precisely because others prefer the comfort of keeping things as they are.

However, standing for what is right does not mean looking for arguments or treating people who disagree with us as enemies. We can remain firm in our convictions while listening respectfully, speaking calmly, and recognizing the dignity of others. 

There is a difference between creating conflict because of pride and accepting disagreement because our conscience will not allow us to cooperate with wrongdoing. 

Faith calls us to choose the truth with courage and express it with love.

Do what is right even when people disagree with you.

Second, choose your convictions carefully because every important decision has consequences.

Jesus used the image of division within a household to show how deeply his message could affect people's relationships. 

His words challenged the assumption that everyone would automatically agree about what was right or that following him would always bring peace and approval. 

His disciples needed to understand that commitment to God's kingdom sometimes required difficult decisions, even when those decisions disappointed people they loved (Luke 12:52–53).

Our decisions reveal what matters most to us. We may need to choose between telling the truth and protecting our reputation, between helping someone in need and keeping all our resources for ourselves, or between defending a vulnerable person and remaining silent to avoid trouble. 

Every choice carries consequences, but avoiding a decision also affects the people around us. When we allow fear of criticism to determine our actions, we risk sacrificing our principles just to keep everyone happy.

Following Christ requires us to examine our choices through the values of the Gospel. Before making an important decision, we can ask whether it protects human dignity, promotes justice, and expresses love for God and neighbor. 

We must also recognize that our convictions need humility, because we can misunderstand situations and make mistakes. A mature Christian remains open to correction while refusing to abandon what is truly right simply to gain approval.

Choose your convictions carefully because every important decision has consequences.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: When doing what is right makes me unpopular, do I have the courage to stand by my convictions? 

Do I sometimes remain silent about dishonesty or injustice because I am afraid of disappointing people or losing their approval? How can I express my faith and defend the truth with greater courage, humility, and respect for those who disagree with me?

Children of God:
Following Christ requires courage because the truth does not always receive applause, and doing what is right does not always make life comfortable. 

Let us develop convictions rooted in the Gospel and express them through honesty, compassion, and respect for every person. 

Let us remember that peace built on silence in the face of injustice cannot provide the foundation for a truly loving community. 

We can disagree without hatred, stand firm without arrogance, and defend the truth without losing our compassion. 

May we have the courage to follow Christ faithfully, even when our choices are difficult and the people around us do not understand.