Man of Destiny

an elegy for John Paul II

by Joe M. Ruggier

1920 - 20051920 - 2005

He was mighty. He was strong -a Super-Power ...

He was a Pillar of the Faith, a Tower.He lasted longer than any Pope but

two.He rent the Iron Curtain, adored the

Poor.He adored Youth; Youth adored Him.

He honored Suffering. He was likewise gentle

with the ignorant ... yet He was worthy of the name

of "intellectual", "man of letters".He had mastered the Art of body-

communicationarising from His genuine theatrical flair--a dramatist's unerring sense of timing--

conveying innermost Spirit through outward stance.

He was of all the Popes the most widely-traveled

with a reputation for building community

wherever He landed ... His Parish the wide, wide

Earth!

He honored five hundred Saints and thrice as many

"Beati", whose glorious ranks He yet may join,

as Time confirms His Holiness ...

a total Man of colossal Honor and Integrity--

"breadwinner" to all the Church. Yet He was gentle

and forbearing with me, a total stranger:He noticed my writings, however insanely

busy ...and often sent me gracious

acknowledgments--the last received mere days before He died.

The mere touch of His words, as of Christ's garment,

was enough ... allowing me to use Him to grow.

He bore my insults for the Gospelwith a genuine forbearance,

passing them over with a heroic Silenceand always pointing only to what was

positive.

May His shining Spirit embrace and shield me always

to inspire and to bless me and encourage me!

May the Father reward Him richly; the Son

confirm the task well-done; and may the Spirit

spread His influence throughout the Agesthrough all the Saints He honored,

as He tried hardto build bridges between Heaven and Earth.

Music: Secret Garden „Elegy”Pps A..a