Homily: Oct 11 2016 - Pope Saint John XXIII - Aggiornamento

Pope Saint John XXIII was canonized, along with Pope Saint John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday in 2014. Since October 11 fell on a Saturday that year and on a Sunday last year, this is the first time many of us have the opportunity to celebrate the feast of this great 20th century pope.

He was called “good Pope John” because he was beloved by the Italian people; he was dearly affectionate and had a good sense of humor.  The phrase “Santo Subito” – “sainthood now” was chanted at his funeral. Pope Francis referred to Pope John XXIII as a “model of sanctity.”  He is a model of holiness not just for the bishops and Popes of the Church, but for all of us.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the first born son of poor, sharecroppers in the small Italian village of Sotto il Monte near Borgamo in northern Italy. Following his ordination in 1904, he served in increasingly challenging ecclesiastical assignments. He studied canon law, he served as a diplomat in the second World War, and helped save an estimated twenty-four thousand Jews.

Though, many of the Cardinals thought John was going to be more of a “caretaker Pope”—Pope John helped resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, and shocked the church and the world when he called for a Second Vatican Council not so much for the purpose of condemning the errors of the day, but for the purpose of Aggiornamento…letting in some fresh air to the life of the Church. Pope John XXIII set a tone for the Council when he said, “The Church has always opposed… errors. Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity.” No doubt, Pope John was an influence on our current Pontiff, Pope Francis.

Pope John promoted dialogue with the Orthodox as well as with Protestants; he was the first Pope to meet the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury. He also encouraged positive relations with Muslims, Jews, and men of good will around the world.

Pope John also set an example for all Christians in performing the works of mercy—he, like John Paul, Benedict, and now Francis, would leave the walls of the Vatican in order to visit the imprisoned and the sick.

In his last encyclical, one of his most famous, called Pacem in Terris, he urged all people to think not just of themselves, but work for the common good, paying great attention to the less fortunate members of society, that as members of the universal family of mankind, we need to work together to attain our flourishment.

For those of you who might be a little disheartened by the current state of politics, I encourage you to read that encyclical, to let some fresh air into your mind and soul.
Strengthened by the example of his holy life, taught by his words of preaching, may we aspire to work together for the spiritual flourishing of all mankind, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.