Today, we celebrated the funeral of another of this city's pioneers. Throughout his many years, he managed to weave his life into the fabric of this place and into the hearts of many.
After nine decades and a little more, the Lord has called our brother Carl home. Today, we who have known and loved him have gathered in this place to offer our humble prayers as an aid to him who once was mortal as he makes his way to the Father's eternal home.
The details of Carl's earthly life are well known to most if not all of us. His honoured position as a founding father of this city has earned him a place of distinction, and the example he provided has taken root in the hearts of all those who have had the privilege to know him. Among the stories that have been recalled in recent days is the fact that in preparation for his marriage to his beloved Jacquie, he undertook a process of preparation for changing his ways, as we might say. At that time, he met Father Harris Mulcahey, a priest who he referred to as a good salesman because he was able to help him understand the Catholic faith and to accept the invitation to leave behind his Methodist roots and to embrace a new faith tradition.
Perhaps there is a connection between the fact that Carl was adopted into the family of the Catholic Church, to which he always continued to be quietly yet strongly committed, and the fact that he himself always tended to make room in his heart for strangers. Before we knew it, we were drawn to him and wanted to spend more time with him. Was it because his love for life was infectious or was it because he simply accepted people where they were and loved them with no conditions?
At the risk of canonizing him before his time, we might even venture to say that Carl personified the teachings of Jesus. In the gospel passage chosen for this celebration, Jesus explained to his disciples: whoever comes to me, I shall not turn him away (Jn 6:37). Carl had an amazing talent for welcoming all those who he met, for making room in his heart so that he could truly connect with each one of us, for genuinely taking an interest in who we are. This is what I picture Jesus to be: the epitome of welcome for everyone. In fact, Jesus goes further. He says that this attitude of welcome is not his idea. It is the will of the one who sent me (Jn 6:39).
It is the will of our God that we should all be welcomed. It is the will of our God that we should all find a place at the table, a place where we can tell our stories, where we can find healing, where we can truly know what it means to be loved. As we gather around the table of the Eucharist today, we have heard the words of the prophet Isaiah as he describes God's attitude of welcome: On this mountain, he says, he will remove the mourning veil ... and prepare for all people a banquet of rich food (Is 25:6-7). Today, Carl is restored to full health, rejuvenated and reunited with his favorite dance partner. He has found his place around that eternal banquet table and is rejoicing in the fullness of God's love.
As for us, we give thanks today. When this Eucharistic celebration is complete, we will go once more into the world. As we do, let our faces shine in the light of the joy that we are celebrating. Let the words we exchange with others portray our conviction that our brother Carl has completed his earthly journey. Now, he can rest forever in the Lord ... (Rev 14:13) for the good deeds he accomplished on earth have earned him a place in heaven. May this also be true one day for all of us.
Funeral homily for Carl Cooper Flintoff
After nine decades and a little more, the Lord has called our brother Carl home. Today, we who have known and loved him have gathered in this place to offer our humble prayers as an aid to him who once was mortal as he makes his way to the Father's eternal home.
The details of Carl's earthly life are well known to most if not all of us. His honoured position as a founding father of this city has earned him a place of distinction, and the example he provided has taken root in the hearts of all those who have had the privilege to know him. Among the stories that have been recalled in recent days is the fact that in preparation for his marriage to his beloved Jacquie, he undertook a process of preparation for changing his ways, as we might say. At that time, he met Father Harris Mulcahey, a priest who he referred to as a good salesman because he was able to help him understand the Catholic faith and to accept the invitation to leave behind his Methodist roots and to embrace a new faith tradition.
Perhaps there is a connection between the fact that Carl was adopted into the family of the Catholic Church, to which he always continued to be quietly yet strongly committed, and the fact that he himself always tended to make room in his heart for strangers. Before we knew it, we were drawn to him and wanted to spend more time with him. Was it because his love for life was infectious or was it because he simply accepted people where they were and loved them with no conditions?
At the risk of canonizing him before his time, we might even venture to say that Carl personified the teachings of Jesus. In the gospel passage chosen for this celebration, Jesus explained to his disciples: whoever comes to me, I shall not turn him away (Jn 6:37). Carl had an amazing talent for welcoming all those who he met, for making room in his heart so that he could truly connect with each one of us, for genuinely taking an interest in who we are. This is what I picture Jesus to be: the epitome of welcome for everyone. In fact, Jesus goes further. He says that this attitude of welcome is not his idea. It is the will of the one who sent me (Jn 6:39).
It is the will of our God that we should all be welcomed. It is the will of our God that we should all find a place at the table, a place where we can tell our stories, where we can find healing, where we can truly know what it means to be loved. As we gather around the table of the Eucharist today, we have heard the words of the prophet Isaiah as he describes God's attitude of welcome: On this mountain, he says, he will remove the mourning veil ... and prepare for all people a banquet of rich food (Is 25:6-7). Today, Carl is restored to full health, rejuvenated and reunited with his favorite dance partner. He has found his place around that eternal banquet table and is rejoicing in the fullness of God's love.
As for us, we give thanks today. When this Eucharistic celebration is complete, we will go once more into the world. As we do, let our faces shine in the light of the joy that we are celebrating. Let the words we exchange with others portray our conviction that our brother Carl has completed his earthly journey. Now, he can rest forever in the Lord ... (Rev 14:13) for the good deeds he accomplished on earth have earned him a place in heaven. May this also be true one day for all of us.
1 comment:
What a wonderful homily father Tony. I can feel the peace and consolation that you must have passed on to the people who were present.
Blessings
Deek
Post a Comment