Has anyone watched the first half of the program about Pope John Paul II? It chronicles his life from growing up in Poland during WWII to his death. It is fascinating to see what this man went through to be the person he became. It is also great to put humanness to what is often considered an institution.
Sometimes we forget what people went through during WWII and how that has had a profound effect on our world today.

God Bless,
Kansas Dad

Yes Kansas Dad, I'm watching.

I have read that the day he entered the Vatican he was carrying the sum of his worldly possessions which were a pair of skis and one gym bag.

His hands were truely clean of blood. God bless his soul.

sojourner

There were 2 scenes that stood out for me. The first one was in part 1 when John Paul II was following the Polish resistance. The Polish rebel had to kill 2 nazi soldiers. John Paul II stopped to give the nazi soldier last rites. The nazi, with his last breath, raised his gun and held it to John Paul's head; but life left him before he could pull the trigger. My first thought was of the level of hate that the nazi soldier must have possessed to actually attempt to kill the man trying to rescue him from hell. Later it was revealed to me that this would have been the act of something that did not fear hell. A minion of hell. Obviously God had other plans for Carol of Krakow.

The second scene that stood out for me was in part 2 when the Pope was being informed by public opinion polls that he was out of touch with the times. He replied to his public relations officer that while he may very well be out of touch with the times, the sanctity of life from the moment of conception was not subject to the whims of fashion.

I found these 2 points extremely profound, and profoundly true.

sojourner

I was at church last night so I had to record the second episode. I am looking forward to watching.

God Bless,
Kansas Dad

Rats! I didn't know it was on! I didn't tape it so you will have to tell me what it was about. Chuch in our house too...adn late because of childrens play practice and mission studies. India lately...

Let me know and say hello to me to you "Baptist friends".

You got it. Kids basketball tonight, so it might be next week before I can post on it. Anyone else watch it?

The first half was excellent. One scene was when his Jewish friend was taken away. How helpless that must have made him feel. To live in Poland during that time would have been extremely difficult. It is amazing how he held on to his faith in spite of all the travesties he witnessed.

I hope this is getting good ratings, and viewing. It is nice to see programming on CBS that is wholesome, and pro-Christian faith. The program has not been Catholic propaganda or anti-protestant in any form. It is about the man and who and what he was.

God Bless,
Kansas Dad

I finally got to watch the second half. I think one of the powerful points of the movie is the aspect of how big of a picture on the world stage this Pope had. Here we get caught up in the details of how the Church was handling some small aspect that affected us or even our nation. When this man had the weight of the entire world to deal with, Russia, Germany, Africa, the middle east, Mexico, US, Canada. All of it thrown up to him, and the whole world listening to what he had to say. It is so easy to say well he should have handled this sooner, and better, but can any of us imagine being in his shoes. It is similar to the President and what he has to deal with. It is mind boggling. The movie showed the very human and frail side of the man, yet also showed the awesome power of the Holy Spirit.

This was an awesome series. If you missed it, it would be worth finding and watching. It is good to see history from a different view point.

God Bless,

If you want my opinion...or if not...here it is; why is it that so many Catholics (I'm not saying YOU Kansasdad) focus on the Pope rather than Christ? Why put so much faith and credibility on the POPE? I'm sorry I just don't get it. The Pope is just a man who happens to be glorified because others believe him to be sinless and/or dressed up in beautiful clothing? What if he was to come out on the balcony one day in a t-shirt and his pajama bottoms? Would people look at him the same? What would they think then without all his beautiful garments? He didn't die on the cross for me! Why put so much importance on him! I'm sorry if that offends you but hey, it offends me as well! What offends me is the way that SOME Roman Catholics almost worship him in a way....have pictures of him in their house...why?

Nothing against you KansasDad you know I care for you; I'm just really trying to understand the Catholic church and it just doesn't add up for me. A lot of red flags. A LOT!

As I understand it, the pope is venerated because he is in a lineage of men who started and continues unbroken from the apostle Peter. I never understood that because the bible says Paul went to the gentiles and Peter to the Jews..(I think)

Here is an editited in verse: (Paul writing)

Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

It was Paul who went to Rome.

http://www.ensignmessage.com/archives/peter.html

Found above link, but I have not verified anything...


My problem with spiritual issues and man made quandaries is that I never quite get to a place of being willing to devote all my time to finding these things out as I have my hands full discovering the word of God and it's meaning.

Marta I am not offended at all. You have legitimate questions asked on what you have observed and your perceptions of those observations. Your post didn't contain inflammatory language and lies. You are not judging the man, the Pope. You did not say he walks in darkness, that he is a liar, that he is full of hatred. These things are offensive. Asking "why" is never offensive.

I guess that is why I felt this picture was so important. It showed who the man was. It showed the Pope broken, crippled, week, one scene even showed the Pope drooling. I think God reduced him physically so that no one would come to the conclusions you came to above. As a young man he started out a very physical person, very athletic. In the end he was crippled, could not walk or hardly speak. In other words he was often seen in his frailty, his t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Pope John Paul demonstrated a love for Human life even when all others around him were calling for hatred and revenge. Maybe part of the problem is that the Catholic people get to see and hear the Pope in unfiltered ways. Where many others only see him through the media (and of course the media always paints a true picture) we get to know him as a person. How many of you have a spiritual mentor. Some one who has helped guide you in your spiritual growth. Some one God has used for you. Pope John Paul II was very much a spiritual mentor. When the entire world was screaming fight, kill, hate, revenge, Pope John Paul would stand firmly in the message of Jesus Christ and say NO that is not what Jesus teaches us. If you had watched the film you would see that it was never about him. It was about how Jesus used him. It is frightening how satan is re-writing history, the lies and hatred that are being spread. The movie didn't gloss over anything either, it talked about the child abuse scandal with-in the church, and how devastating it was.

A couple of your questions, absolutely no one believes the Pope is sinless. One very memorable scene in the movie is when Pope John Paul is questioning God, asking why, why is he being reduced physically. Another scene shows the Pope going to confession, asking for Gods forgiveness. No, no one believes the Pope is sinless. Contrary to the lies being spread no one believes the Pope himself is infallible. We do believe the Holy Spirit is infallible, But the Pope, he makes mistakes all the time.

over and over again the words from the Pope were about Jesus. His whole life was spent telling people to focus on God. When you look at the fruit of his life, you can measure his credibility. But really look at the fruit not the lies, either good or bad.

Pictures, I have about 20 pictures hanging through out my house. They are all of people that have special meaning in my life. Family, friend, important people in my life. My sons have posters of some of their favorite athletes hanging in their rooms. One of those many pictures is Pope John Paul II. It is very small, in the kitchen with about 6 others we have by our plate rack. But does that mean I worship any of the pictures. Some people have a picture of Elvis in their homes. Does that mean they worship him (maybe) and if they do then it is wrong.

God has used people through out history; Pope John Paul II was one of those people. A frail crippled old man spreading the message of Jesus Christ to 90,000 youth in Denver Colorado. Why would 90,000 youth go to Denver to listen to a message from a crippled old man who had a bad accent? His message was about God and the love of Jesus Christ. Look to the fruit not to the lies. It wasn't about the man, it was about the message.


God Bless,
Kansas Dad

Kansas dad- oh yes how I agree. It is not about the man, it is about the message.
If he gives hope through Christ then I see nothing wrong. God uses so many people to bring them to Him. If the pope is leading people to Christ then I say Halleluiah. If they walk with the light of God in them I say Halleluiah again.

Perhaps things are much simpler than we think. God can use anyone and
all of us to bring others to faith in Christ..

Look at Corrie ten Boom. They have made a movie about her and how strong her faith was. My friend came to know Christ through Corrie ten Boom.

So I don't understand everything about Catholicism. I don't understand everything about the Lutheran church that I grew up in. I don't understand everything about anything. But I do love our Lord with all of my heart.

God can use anyone. If we are willing.
Praise to the King of Kings!!!
I cried through the movie of Mother Theresa. She gave up herself to help others
I think she had great faith. She did what Christ told her to do. My faith was strengthened after watching. I am sure God will strengthen it again if I watch the Pope movie. We need that encouragement in our walk.

God has been speaking to me to love all, even if I don't understand what is always going on. I can only love and let my light shine.

Thank you Rosie. I am embarrassed to say I have not heard of Corrie ten Boom. Can you tell me more? Is there a book I could read?

K.D.

I haven't heard of Corrie ten Boom either? Who is it?

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Kansasdad,

BIG HUG (((( )))) Thank you for explaining what your beliefs are about the Pope. I understand a lot better now and I deeply appreciate your post.



You are so right. I was worried how you would take my post. Your heart seems so pure and you have such a good spirit KD.......I'm so glad you're here. Thank you for giving me a better perspective on the Catholic Church.

Praise God because He is working through you.

My dear brother in Christ.

Love ya!

A very good writing Kansasdad...I snipped to the extreme to focus here...this is the epitomy of faith and as you say, Paul was in league with his maker, not the devil. Many feel the hybrid reality of a church festooned with worldliness, but he always kept the faith as he was taught. I think it was remarkable how he would intervene in affairs of state to show God's way. Kind gentle humble...what more do we need?

Corrie Ten Boom was a teenage Jewish girl whose family was killed by the Nazis and she was kept hidden in Holland (I think) she suffered much for her faith. I believe she was Messianic.

http://www.soon.org.uk/true_stories/holocaust.htm

Mazinaw, Corrie ten Boom was a dutch girl. She hid the jews in her house.
Her sister, father and her were taken to the concentration camp after they were caught hiding them in World war 2. Her father
died there. Her sister did too, but she was there much longer before she died.

Corrie ten Boom made it out of the concentration camp only because there
was a mistate in records. I have no doubt that God orchestrated that!
If you can get the movie the Hiding Place that will show you the faith
of Corrie ten Boom. At the end of the movie they show the real Corrie ten
Boom. She is not here any longer now on this earth. She is with the Lord.
There is the book the Hiding Place too.

I know there are other books of Corrie ten Boom but I just can't think of them
right now.

Thanks I was spouting and did not take time to research I just threw out a web site but we are busy so I let it go thinking someone would have the true grit on her..thanks..years ago I read a book about her but it was so long ago I forgot the details...

Mazinaw,no problem.
I am a christian teacher so we had to read this in my class. That was the reason I knew about Corrie. That and my best friend is obsessed with reading anything about Corrie ten Boom. My friend is half dutch and half jewish. I always tease her and ask her what half. LOL!!