The Pope

Thanks to a friend of mine, I woke up at 2:30 in the morning to watch the Pope's funeral live. Even though I have had some problems with the catholic church in the past, I have great respect for John Paul II. He, like Mother Theresa, was a man that people could and should look up to. He set a great example of how to live a loving and sacrificial life. The funeral was beautiful. Even though nothing was said in our native tongue besides the interpreters and reporters contributions, it still caused me to be in awe and not be able to say anything besides how awesome and amazing it was. There were leaders that came from every country to show their last respects because he has touched both them and their nations. There were Poles that came down on buses that remember where his roots were from. There was an insane amount of people that stood shoulder to shoulder for the entire 3 hours trying to see what they could in St. Peter's Square. There was tons more just outside watching it on huge t.v. screens ~ they were so close, but yet there was no way they could actually get closer. This man, that was the leader of the richest religion of the world and who was so renowned and respected, was in the simplest coffin I have ever seen. A simple wooden box with an engraved cross and a M is where he laid. Now that he has passed, we can still remember the life he lived and strive to imitate Christ the way he did.

In response to PM's blog wondering why I was up at 3 a.m.:

Friday night I got a text message from my friend asking if I was watching the Pope's funeral. I realized that he probably doesn't realize the difference between non-denominational christianity and catholocism and for sakes of witnessing, I should watch it. So I did. I got up at watched the funeral from 2:30~4:00 a.m. During this time he told me that he just woke up and watched it and that it was really moving. After we sent text messages back and forth for about a half hour or so, my phone wasn't allowing me to send any more. I wasn't sure why, yet then God spoke to me. He said, "I'm moving in his life right now, don't interrupt me." Okay God, I won't. So I stopped sending him text messages for a while and I started just to enjoy the service. I prayed and prayed, blessing the way God was moving in his life. Many times God just uses us to pray. I think God knew that I wouldn't have just stayed up and prayed for him in my bed unless I was occupied and knew the purpose. It's amazing the way that God can use anything to move in someone's life. Go God!