Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time: October 22 (Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.)

Father Dennis Billy reflects on the spirituality of St. John Paul II in light of the Church's memorial celebration for the late pope. He emphasizes the importance of the Latin phrase "Duc in altum," or "go out into deep water," which John Paul II used to encourage the faithful to embrace their faith with gratitude for the past, enthusiasm for the present, and confidence in the future. Central to this spirituality is the concept of communion—with God, oneself, others, and ultimately with Christ.

Billy highlights that peace is a significant fruit of this communion, referencing the teachings of St. Paul and the responsorial psalm that affirm God's promise of peace to His people. He elaborates on the spirituality of communion as a deep contemplation of the Trinity and a call to unity within the Church. He warns that without nurturing this communion, any church structure will ultimately fail, underscoring the necessity of prayer as a means to achieve peace and order in personal lives and relationships.

In his message, Billy encourages listeners to reflect on areas of disorder in their lives and relationships, urging them to seek God's help in restoring peace. He concludes by reminding the faithful of John Paul II's legacy as a champion of peace and a guiding figure at the dawn of the new millennium, inspiring them to be instruments of peace in a troubled world.