A new book on Pope John Paul II entitled Why He's a Saint written by Vatican Official Monsignor Slawomir Oder reveals that John Paul "frequently spent the night on the bare floor," messing up his bed in the morning so he wouldn't draw attention to his act of penitence. "But it wasn't limited to this. As some members of his close entourage in Poland and in the Vatican were able to hear with their own ears, John Paul flagellated himself. In his armoire, amid all the vestments and hanging on a hanger, was a belt which he used as a whip and which he always brought to Castel Gandolfo," the papal retreat where John Paul vacationed each summer.(AP Tues., Jan. 26, 2010)
Just one question. Where in the Scriptures do we find anyone punishing themselves to become a better Christian? When the Apostle Paul said that "I discipline my body, making it my slave lest after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified" (I Cor.9:27) he was not speaking of self punishment, but self discipline.
Paul warned about these things saying that this kind of severe treatment of the body has an appearance of wisdom but is of no value against fleshly indulgence (Colossians 2:23)
The Gospel is such better news because it says that Jesus has already borne all the needed punishment. As the old hymn goes, "tis mine but to believe".
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