PICKING  YOUR  READINGS 

FOR  YOUR  FUNERAL

INTRODUCTION

Today’s first reading  for this 32nd Tuesday in Ordinary Time - right after the opening paragraph - is often used for funerals. So I decided to say a few words about, “Picking Your Readings For Your Funeral.”

When a family prepares for the funeral of a mom or dad or spouse or child, they can get at the office at St. Mary’s a small paperback booklet that has lots of readings as well as this and that for funerals.

They get a similar book for weddings - but I’ve noticed at funerals a  slight difference: families often chose readings that are not in that booklet.

I like it when families pick a favorite gospel - but I’ve noticed some priests have their favorites - so beware of that.  I like it when people tell me that the readings fit their loved one who has died.  I especially like it when they tell me why they picked a certain reading.

SUGGESTION: PLAN YOUR OWN FUNERAL

Sit down while your mind is working and pick out the 3 readings you would like for your funeral.

Pick out the music as well. I think people do that more readily.

I have found Mary Gassman does a great job in  helping  families prepare for a funeral of a loved one.

My suggestion here is: Make it even easier by having your funeral lined up.

I have done it for my funeral - and it’s in the pastor’s office. I have not looked at it in a few years. I might do it again to see if I’d have some changes.  I hope Harry Thompson can play the Shaker song, “Tis a gift to be simple” - from Appalachian Spring.  It’s number 516 in our Missalette.

Keep it simple!

SECOND SUGGESTION: DO THIS WITH OTHERS

I only remember one time since I’ve been here that I did this preparation with a whole family. I’ve sat down with individuals a bunch of times - as well as couples a bunch of times.

Teresa Marie Newton

September 16, 1944- February 2, 2006

The funeral preparation was for Teresa “Terry” Newton - who was dying. Terry used to come to many a weekday Mass. This was back in 2006. We met at Terry and her husband Dave’s house. The whole family - I picture about 10 people - and Teresa sat there and talked as we picked her readings and her songs and what she would like.

It was a powerful moment of grace for me.

This green vestment I’m wearing today is in memory of Terry. It’s written right here on this inner stole.

We Redemptorists meet every month, but we’ve never done this-  telling each other what we would like for our funeral. We’re asked to line up what we want for our funeral -  on paper. But my thought here is to do this with others present.

At our convocation a few weeks back we were told to meet more often about community stuff - life together - a lot more than we do.  We meet for business - work stuff - but not enough for community stuff.

We have a  community meeting today at 9 AM and we’re supposed to come up with some better plans for becoming a better community.  I’m going to suggest that we do talk together what we want for our funerals - what we would like - what we hope our legacy is - what our life was like.

And I’m sure the others will look at me as if I’m a deer in the night with headlights in my eyes.

And a good P.S. Pick your best picture for your funeral program and death cards - like a picture when you were 33.

CONCLUSION

Today’s gospel talks about a banquet - and obviously - the master isn’t going to wait on and serve the servants. Today’s gospel has the owner bossing the servants saying things like, “Put on your apron and serve me.”

Well, I wouldn’t chose this gospel, because when we die I see God sitting me down to table - and serving me - like he did at the Last Supper - washing his disciples feet and feeding them the Pascal Meal - of bread and wine - giving us himself.