United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2003, 40 pages, Grades 9-12.The use of “discarded” human beings as “precious tools” for the benefit of other humans is exactly what happens when man transgresses (e.g. in vitro fertilization) into God’s domain as the Author of Life.
Poetry is one of the most difficult forms of literature to write. It is also complicated to understand. The reason for this is that poetry can convey deep and profound thoughts in very few words. Serious poetry frequently uses delicate imagery and subtle language. Readers must be willing to enter the world created by the poet to understand the importance of his message. Though many have tried to write poetry, few have ever excelled in the genre. Fewer still have been successful in conveying the spiritual depth of the Christian faith. But in addition to all of his other accomplishments, Pope John Paul II was one such a poet. One of his masterpieces is the three part poetic study named the “Roman Triptych: Meditations.”
As the Book of Genesis tells us, creation starts with God hovering over the waters. With this idea, the Holy Father begins by meditating on a stream. As the water flows down the mountainside, he thinks about what the stream is telling him. The pope senses that only man is capable of wonder. This desire can lead to a prayerful search for the Divine. The water continues to tumble down the hillside and Pope John Paul II wants to encounter the Source. But the Source doesn’t readily tell its identity, and the Holy Father meets with silence. To further his encounter with the water, he tastes the cold liquid with his lips. He feels the life giving splendor of the water, and knows that he is beginning to touch the Eternal Word.
In the next meditation, Pope John Paul II sits in front of the Sistine Chapel and ponders the spectacular beauty of Michelangelo’s creation. The Holy Father sees the Creation panel on the ceiling, and the immensely powerful painting of the Last Judgment. The Pope knows that God is a loving God and that the created world is good. Though tarnished by sin, Michelangelo shows God reaching to man and giving him new life. As the pope realizes, this painting predates the Incarnation. It is therefore pre-sacramental. But like the water in the first meditation, the figures are already moving to Our Lord.
The final set of meditations concern Abraham and Isaac on the hill in the land of Moriah. Abraham hears and follows God. The Voice that kept calling to Abraham is the Eternal One. By listening to this Voice and obeying, Abraham becomes the Father of All Nations. This act led to the First Covenant between God and Abraham. It is the first human response to begin setting the stage for the birth of Son of God in Bethlehem.
The Roman Triptych is a remarkable set of poems and meditations. Filled with the search for God, with the loving encounter with the Lord and the beauty of the journey to the Eternal Word, Pope John Paul II has written a magnificent book. As with all poetry, this book must be read slowly. The richness of the pope’s thought and the beauty of his encounter with God needs to be pondered at some length. But the marvelous insights of Pope John Paul II make this a fruitful experience. I hope you take the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
