Here is the text of the homily I prepared for the funeral we celebrated earlier today, giving thanks for the life of a man who was deeply loved and greatly respected.
The first reading that we heard today describes a wonderful encounter that is foretold for every one of us. The figure of a mountain has long been synonymous with the place where we mortals will encounter God. The prophet Isaiah says: On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines (Is 25:6). This is not the language that we would use to describe a simple meal. But this is the language with which the prophet wants to help us understand that there will be a moment for each of us when the Lord will welcome us home, into heaven. When we arrive at that banquet, the Lord will be waiting for us, ready to sit with us and to listen to every word we have to share.
This is the image that I look forward to, and this is the moment that we have gathered to celebrate today. Our brother Tom has completed his earthly journey. Throughout the years that all of us have known him, we have seen glimpses of the way that this table discussion will take place. Tom always cherished his family, friends and neighbours: each of you was precious to him. I am sure that he will tell everyone gathered around that table about each of you, and what joy will radiate from him as he does!
With great glee, I am sure that he will speak of the many opportunities that he had to be of service to so many people. Sometimes, he did that in tangible and concrete ways; at other times, he offered a word of encouragement, a complement or told a joke so that he could help someone else to find their way. As he tells these stories around that banquet table, there will be many smiles and knowing nods. And we all know that Tom will be specially proud to tell others about the special place he always held in his heart for all the children. In some ways, perhaps he always remained a child, but certainly he was always convinced that children are the most precious gifts.
At another time in history, our God sent his son Jesus to live among us. He did this so that Jesus could tell us about God, and so that he could show us the tender love that God has for each of us. On many occasions throughout his earthly life, Jesus took time to pray. We have had one of those occasions described in today's gospel passage: Jesus said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants (Mt 11:25). The true depth of God's love for us remains hidden from the minds of those who only contemplate earthly matters, but happily, our God never gives up on us. He continues to love us always, and to believe in us because He knows what we are capable of.
We are all capable of loving others, we are all capable of cherishing those who are dear to us, we are all capable of offering simple prayers for those who are in need, and we are all capable of taking time to tell others how important they are to us. The Lord has granted us a great gift in the person of Tom. Now, we entrust his eternal soul back into the loving presence of our God with the words that were written in the Book of Revelation: Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labours, for their good deeds go with them (Rev 14:13).
Funeral homily for Thomas Carter
The first reading that we heard today describes a wonderful encounter that is foretold for every one of us. The figure of a mountain has long been synonymous with the place where we mortals will encounter God. The prophet Isaiah says: On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a banquet of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines (Is 25:6). This is not the language that we would use to describe a simple meal. But this is the language with which the prophet wants to help us understand that there will be a moment for each of us when the Lord will welcome us home, into heaven. When we arrive at that banquet, the Lord will be waiting for us, ready to sit with us and to listen to every word we have to share.
This is the image that I look forward to, and this is the moment that we have gathered to celebrate today. Our brother Tom has completed his earthly journey. Throughout the years that all of us have known him, we have seen glimpses of the way that this table discussion will take place. Tom always cherished his family, friends and neighbours: each of you was precious to him. I am sure that he will tell everyone gathered around that table about each of you, and what joy will radiate from him as he does!
With great glee, I am sure that he will speak of the many opportunities that he had to be of service to so many people. Sometimes, he did that in tangible and concrete ways; at other times, he offered a word of encouragement, a complement or told a joke so that he could help someone else to find their way. As he tells these stories around that banquet table, there will be many smiles and knowing nods. And we all know that Tom will be specially proud to tell others about the special place he always held in his heart for all the children. In some ways, perhaps he always remained a child, but certainly he was always convinced that children are the most precious gifts.
At another time in history, our God sent his son Jesus to live among us. He did this so that Jesus could tell us about God, and so that he could show us the tender love that God has for each of us. On many occasions throughout his earthly life, Jesus took time to pray. We have had one of those occasions described in today's gospel passage: Jesus said, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants (Mt 11:25). The true depth of God's love for us remains hidden from the minds of those who only contemplate earthly matters, but happily, our God never gives up on us. He continues to love us always, and to believe in us because He knows what we are capable of.
We are all capable of loving others, we are all capable of cherishing those who are dear to us, we are all capable of offering simple prayers for those who are in need, and we are all capable of taking time to tell others how important they are to us. The Lord has granted us a great gift in the person of Tom. Now, we entrust his eternal soul back into the loving presence of our God with the words that were written in the Book of Revelation: Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labours, for their good deeds go with them (Rev 14:13).
2 comments:
Wonderful,comforting and wise words. Thanks for sharing this special message
Mom just placed his ashes in the lake today. Thank you Father Tony for giving her so much peace.
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