22 October 2026 - St John Paul II - homily for Thursday of the 29th week in Ordinary time - Ephesians 4:1-6

When we consider that Pope John Paul II served as Pope from 1978 to 20025, one of the longest pontificates in the history of the Church, we can think of the influence he has had on the Church. He made a profound impact on the Church and on the world. And his contributions as pope continue to have an impact on the Church and the world today. 

One of the first popes who was not from Italy for many centuries, he made an impact on the world in helping to bring an end to communism in his native country of Poland and in many other countries in Europe. 

In the life of the Church, he promulgated a new Catechism, providing a new authoritative summary of Catholic doctrine for the Catholic faithful. He also oversaw the reform of Canon Law. He issued many influential documents during his papacy, including 14 encyclicals and 15 apostolic exhortations. He also wrote the influential theology of the body, which addressed the topic of human love, sexuality, and the dignity of the human body. He advocacy for the pro-life movement also made a big impact in the United States and in other countries in the world. 

In the realm of spirituality, he popularized the spirituality of St Therese, whom he named a doctor of the Church. He also popularized his personal devotions to the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima. He beatified and canonized numerous saints, more than many of his predecessors combined. He also established World Youth Day in 1985. His travels to many countries help revitalize the Catholic faith throughout the world. 

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes how he is a prisoner of the Lord.  Paul indeed was imprisoned in Rome at the time that he wrote this letter. Even though he was behind bars, he was able to exhort the Ephesians to be patient, gentle, and humble. I tell the prisoners whom I visit and minister to in the state prison in Pearl that there are far worst prisons that can confine them in their lives than the bars that they are behind right now at the state prison. We can be imprisoned by the addictions we have, and those addictions can take many different forms. In fact, many of the prisoners I visit admit to me that they still struggle with their addictions while in prison, with so many drugs readily available. We can be imprisoned by false expectations and a false sense of values, imprisoned by clinging the to values of the world and our worldly appetites that never seem to be satisfied. St Paul calls us to the one Body, the one Spirit, the one faith. That is where we are called to be.