麻豆约拍

Good Morning.

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On this day in 1978 a Cardinal Karol Wojtyla听the Archbishop of Krakow, was appointed the Pope.听 It was recently announced that he will be canonized early next year.听 This reminded me of my first meeting with a saint in Kashmir.听 He was my grandfather鈥檚 spiritual master and having met him I was struck not only by his striking outward appearance - looking very much as if he were the twin brother of Gandalf - but also the deep peace and serenity that he imbued.听 In a world in which there is sadly so much social and economic inequality, it does not surprise me that people would find solace in the company of someone who clearly had turned his back on the world and yet attained contentment and peace.听 In a holy tradition, the Messenger of God, may God give him blessings and peace, said:听 When God loves a servant, he calls Gabriel and says to him: 鈥淚ndeed, I love so-and-so, so love him!鈥澨� So Gabriel loves him, and then calls forth in heaven: 鈥淚ndeed, God loves so-and-so, so love him!鈥澨� Then the inhabitants of heaven love him, and after that, acceptance is accorded him on earth.听 Tradition also informs us that at each gathering of 40, one will be a friend of God.听听 It is true that in Islam, saints are chosen through popular acclamation of piety and their learning but that does not provide the full picture.听 The traditions I have noted point very much towards the identity of the saint being a mystery, that the possibilities, to varying degrees, of sainthood are open to all.