The title of my homily is, “November 2nd:
Remembering Our Dead.”
Today – November 2nd – for Catholics – it’s
the day to remember our dead.
VISIT THE
CEMETERY
In earlier centuries – most people lived and died - and didn’t move too far from where they
were born. As a result – it wouldn’t be too difficult to visit one’s family cemetery.
Back in 1994 - I visited the place where my mom and dad
were from in Ballyhahown, Galway, Ireland. We walked to the cemetery – down
near the waters of Galway Bay. The cemetery had a metal bar turnstile type gate
–– built to keep cows out. The cemetery had high grass - rough clumps of earth – difficult to navigate
- and lots and lots and lots of old tombstones.
I was with my 2 sisters and my brother-in-law and my Aunt
Nora. She was one of my mom’s two sisters – who still lived there in this small
coastal area. She pointed out the gravestones of our grandparents and great grandparents
– aunts and uncles – and she made some choice comments – with a great smile on
her face. All the names and numbers were carved in Gaelic. Most were very faded and
weathered – but she knew them all by heart.
It was a sacred moment. We prayed. We were with family.
Without them we would not have been here on this earth.
The only bad moment was what happened to my sister Peggy the nun. She stepped in a cow plop.
Evidently the gate didn’t work. We laughed. She didn’t. The Chick-fil-A commercial with cows showing up wasn’t around yet – otherwise I’m sure we would
have thought of it.
Where are your cemeteries? Where are your people buried?
Where are your sacred stones? Where are the places you shouldn’t step into?
We drag our kids to Mass – how about dragging them to
cemeteries – and tell them the stories – who it is - who is buried here – and how
they are part of our family’s life. And tell the family stories – especially
the one’s that bring the laughter and the tears.
If you’ve forgotten, make a list or find out what family
member knows where our dead are buried.
This week my sister Mary and I are planning to watch a
wonderful CD of my sister Peggy’s funeral from last November. It has the wake
the night before as well as the funeral Mass. The cemetery is a good 15 miles
from Marywood University in Scranton – where she worked her last job – till she
died.
IN THE BACK OF
CHURCH
In the back of the church are big books – to write in the
names of our dead. This is very Catholic. Names of the dead are mentioned at
Masses. Masses are said for our dead – and I would add: “They are also said to
help us the living – deal with death of those we miss and loved.”
This weekend there are also prayer cards and a display
for vocations.
Please pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious
life.
When folks get sick – they still want a priest to visit
them – to anoint them with sacred oil – as they were anointed at their baptism
and confirmation in the faith. So please encourage folks to think priesthood.
People are not having big families - so there is a shortage of priests. People
want to see grandkids.
So I would add, “If you’re under 40 – expect changes in
priesthood in your lifetime.” Something needs to be done besides prayers for
vocations – if we want to have Eucharist and a priest when someone is sick.
MEMORIAL CARDS
Do you have a prayer chair in your house – that is – a
nice comfortable chair in the corner – with a small table near by – with your
beads and your prayer books – a Bible or a journal – or what have you?
Let your little ones see you sitting in prayer – with
your memorial cards.
I grew up seeing my mom and dad with their prayer books –
sitting quietly – and sometimes I noticed them lifting out one of their
memorial cards. And their prayer books got fatter with the years. I wonder how folks will use these wonderful
flyers that one gets at funerals these days. There is a nice picture of the
person on the front in the midst of life – laughing – steering a
sail boat. I saw on the front side of a flyer a great picture of a guy cutting
the grass with a mower and a great smile.
Where do you keep your funeral mementos. I assume they
are saved – perhaps in a clear plastic bag – maybe with a rubber band around
them.
Take the time to picture what yours will look like. Go through your photos and
put together your life. Why wait till death?
Recently we were telling folks to write down what they
would like their funeral Mass would to look like. Readings? Music? Who to do
your eulogy? I’ve heard of people who even did their obituary. So I did mine.
It was a great meditation.
Life. Death. The in-between. The story of one’s life.
I like to say at funerals – don’t listen to my homily
right now – listen to the homily – the words – the prayers – the wonderings –
the memories going on inside your brain right now.
THE CEMETERY IN
YOUR MIND AND MEMORY
Speaking of brains – I also like to say – that everyone has a
cemetery in their mind – in their memory.
With paper and pencil – remember them – draw a big box
and then draw tiny tombstones in that box. Make them big enough to put the
names of one’s dead. Mom – dad – grandma – grandpa – kids – brothers – sisters
– friends – neighbors – spouse – the people of your life. Put dates. That should get us talking to
others. What year did Aunt Jean die?
Our dead walk go with us. Sometimes the memory of them
are heavy stones – that weigh us down.
It’s important to mourn. It’s important to pray for our dead. Then as
Jesus said: “It’s time to bury the dead and move on.”
I have been helped by those Easter Scenes – when Jesus
broke through the walls of the upper room – even though they were locked – and
told his disciples – he was alive. He
said, “Peace!” He spoke of forgiveness and faith.
CONCLUSION
Today – All Souls Day – we remember our dead.
November – we remember our dead.
We Christians walk with faith – that Christ rose from the
dead – and that we have the promise – as today’s readings put it – readings
we’ve all heard at funerals – that we too shall be lifted up – in new life –
resurrected life – with him forever and ever. Amen.
OOOOOOOOOO
Painting on top: Jakub Schikandeder, "All Souls' Day" Painting in middle: William-Adolphe Bouguerfeau (1825- 1905) "The Day of the Dead" 1859. Picture at end: "Skogskyrkogardgen at All Souls' Day" 2010-1 by Holger Motzkau
A solitary tree atop a mountain rises
straight against a cloudless sky, and I remember
what the medieval painters would have seen:
a cross devoid of depth, flat from head to foot,
from nail to bloody nail, all lines of vision ending
in the innocent agony of a dying man.
We can’t say what they saw was mere distortion
(any serf knew well the depth of hill and sky);
nor can we say they saw no beauty in the world
(like us they loved lush color, reds and blues and yellows
split by smoke twisting up through icy air).
We can only say they knew too well the limits
of the flesh and caught on stark flat surfaces the truth
that haunts me now in the cold fields of November.
_-_The_Day_of_the_Dead_(1859)%2B(1).jpg)
