F H & L

This morning I witnessed Faith, Hope and Love in one simple act ... the act of proclaiming the Good Word.

As today is all Souls Day (it is also the day we buried Christine 3 years ago), the readings are especially meaningful to those who have lost a loved one. At MAC yesterday, Deacon John noted, with a tear in his eye, that 9 year old Jeremy (who just lost his twin sister Alyssa 4 months ago) would be reading the Romans letter from Paul at the 9:30 family mass. Even thought I knew I would be going to 5:15 mass on Saturday, I knew I needed to hear him read...so I biked over to church thinking I would time it so I could just walk in to hear him and leave...well, things were running late at mass, so I was there to witness Jeremy and his parents preparing to walk down the aisle with the Bible...witnessing Fr. Bernie talking to them, most likely giving them support... I saw that Dan/dad was wiping away a tear. As mass began, I again heard the well sung litnany of saints...those who've passed this past year...including my sister Teresa and Alyssa as well as Kevin, Bill, Gina, Al's dad and so many others.

Jeremy placed the Bible on the alter and then waited to read. His parents at his side, he read these words...'we too might live in newness of life' and 'death no longer has power over him' ~very powerful words to hear from a 9 year old...he was so strong in Faith, that the Hope and Love of that strong family was shining bright for all to see...but who saw. I'm assuming a very small percent of those present even knew the sadness this family has carried for the last 4 months...none knew the real strength of Faith it took to do what they had just done...wow. But I was there to witness their Faith, to see the Hope and share in their Love.

After the Gospel, 'For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.' Fr. Bernie had all the kids and their mothers come to the alter... in his typical family mass style, he asked the kids to remember a time in their young life when they felt so loved and happy... playing with their brother, baking with Mom, making a pizza with mom. Then a question for the mothers. What is a word or two to describe child birth/labor?...joyous pain, miracle of life ... He notes that with life comes pain and struggles, but with death comes eternal Love of God much greater than you can imagine... He said that we are born twice...once into this earthly life and then at death into eternal life...ah the whole point of All Souls Day...remembering that our loved ones are there...in eternal life, waiting for us.

And so this day of remebarnace serves to reinforce that their is joy after pain and we will all see it.