Karol Józef Wojtyła, the first non-Italian pope who took on the name John Paul II.  He was a pope for 26 years.  During his papacy, he was known for his numerous beatifications and canonizations of holy people.  

This was already astounding. Yet, he had many famous quotes. These quotes can deeply enrich our lives. They bring us closer to God if we meditate on them.

I googled most of them because I was intrigued by how this saint lived his life.  I already listened to his life story in my mobile Hallow app last month. What caught my interest this afternoon was when I heard the Catholic TV priest talk about him in his homily.  

Catholic TV Mass, October 22, 2024

Father Christopher Bae shared this story. Pope John Paul II was interviewed by a reporter. The reporter asked, “Father, what do you do during your free time?”  

He answered, “All my time is free time” – St. John Paul II

St. John Paul II made his life all available to God.  To do HIS will.  Father Christopher further added that – 

“Whatever you do in your free time, you do it because you want to do it.  No one is forcing you to do it…    Whatever the Holy Father (St. John Paul II) did, Jesus did it out of great love for the Lord.”

Pope John Paul II’s famous apostolic quote was the Latin phrase “totus tuus”, totally yours.  

Which brings me to my time with God.  Am I really totally HIS.  Am I always free, always available, always saying YES to HIS call?  

The obvious answer is NO!  

I asked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother. I wanted her help to say YES to Jesus all my life. To say no to my own agenda and be totally available to God’s agenda alone. 

Indeed, I have a long way to go.

Just this afternoon, I became very irritable with the sudden interruption in my routine. I made it so obvious to everyone how irritated I was.  Another episode of my impatient character.

Being available to God is more than difficult, it’s a task made for saints. My impatient nature will always be challenged. God will always test me and prune me. This will continue until I get to be available to HIM.

So help me God.