Common Grounds

The Evangelical Pope | The True Centers of History

October 31, 2022

Living Words from John Paul II

Edited by Abraham A. van Kempen

Published Sunday, October 30, 2020

The Evangelical Pope | The True Centers of History

Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love.

¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

__ Mark 1: 15

Hülsparkstadion, Kevelaer, Germany - Samstag, 2. Mai 1987 | The natural centers of world and salvation history are not the bustling capitals of politics and economy, money and earthly power.

The true centers of history are the silent places of prayer of the people.

Here the encounter of the earthly world with the supernatural world takes place in a particularly dense way, the pilgrim Church on earth with the eternal and victorious Church in heaven.

Bigger things are happening here and more decisive for life and death than in the big capitals, where you think you have your finger on the pulse and turn the wheel of world history.

Excerpted from (translated from German):

Apostolische Reise in Die Bundes Republik Deutschland, Lobpreis, Predigt von Johannes Paul II, «Hülsparkstadion» in Kevelaer - Samstag, 2. Mai 1987.

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/de/homilies/1987/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19870502_lodi-kevelaer.html