Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Readings: Hebrews 10:1-10; Psalm 40:2, 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11; Mark 3:31-35
Family
But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Consecrated
We have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Consecrated Life
The state of consecrated life is thus one way of experiencing a “more intimate” consecration, rooted in Baptism and dedicated totally to God. In the consecrated life, Christ’s faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come. Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church 916.
Remembering
Lately I have been assigned to preside over many funerals. Four this week alone.
It is in these moments people express their initial or deepest reflection about the deceased depending on circumstances. Sometimes the remembrances are amazingly beautiful and sometimes that are shockingly stark. As is often the case, it takes a little time and prayer to bring forward the memories stunned into silence by the death of the loved one.
But the one thing in common is the message of family. He was/She was/They were family. From the deepest urges of the heart an attempt to remember the good the deceased has done. Using different language than today’s gospel, I always encourage people to remember the ways in which he/she/they did the will of the Father.
Jesus claims us as family. Jesus remembers the good we have done in fulfilling the Father’s will to love one another as we love ourselves. He remembers. He loves. He claims.
Going Forward
Let us in small and big ways, remember love, remember family and remember the good God has done.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012825.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
God Bless you with Wisdom and Grace during these sacred events that bring family members together.
Amen! I need that blessing to effectively transmit divine blessings from my heart. Always from the heart.