He never gave up

FUNERAL HOMILY FOR FRANCESCO VALENTE

Cari amici:

Siamo venuti oggi in questa chiesa per pregare insieme.  Nella prezenza della famiglia di nostro caro Francesco pregiamo al Signore ch’è la fonte della vita.  On the day of his baptism, Francesco was presented at the font, where the waters of life washed him clean, and made him a beloved child of God.  Throughout his life, God gave him many graces, reminders of the special gift that had been entrusted to him on that day of his introduction to the Church.

Having come to this country from the beautiful land of Cosenza, Francesco arrived here in this city, where he made a life for himself and for his family.  Always practical, and ever optimistic, he celebrated good times with friends and family, and he faced challenges head on, always believing that there was a solution to be found.  No matter how many years we are granted, it always seems that the virtuous persons (the ones we love and by whom we are loved) are taken from this world before their time.  The truth of the matter is that although we would have loved to keep him here for many more years, to be the source of wisdom and advice for us, and although his spirit was willing, his body was increasingly challenged by the ravages of disease.

In questi momenti habiamo noi una tristeza perche il nostro papa, il nostro amico non è più al nostro lato, ma dobbiamo ricordare che siamo tutti bambini di Dio.  Del momento di nostro battesimo, habiammo ricevuto uno spirito da figli adottivi per mezzo del quale gridiamo: ‘Abba Padre’.  We cry out with these words every day of our lives, as we welcome strangers to our tables, as we see the joy of children born, as we celebrate weddings and anniversaries, as we recognize the success that comes with hard work and dedication.

Today, we gather in prayer with Francesco’s family, the pride of his heart because we have all received this spirit of adoption.  It is true that having watched him over the past few years, those who were closest to him may have found it difficult to see him increasingly held captive by the ravages of failing health, but he himself would never let these limitations hold him down.  In truth, the apostle Paul reminds us that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us.  Now that Francesco has been released from the bonds of mortality, we believe that he is able to understand and appreciate the great glory of God in all its fullness.

And what then does this promise hold for those of us who are left, who must now forge onward without the physical presence of our friend?  Our very presence here today is a sign of our faith, of the fact that we have heard the words of Jesus spoken to us in prayer, and that we are at least coming to believe in the One who sent him.  The gospel we read this morning tells us that because of this, we too have the promise of eternal life.  One day, we too will see this promise fulfilled.  When our earthly journey is complete, we too will see God face to face, when we will see Francesco again.  Until that day, we pray, we trust, and we strive every day to live lives that are practical, just and fair.  In all our dealings, let us always remember that there will be a tomorrow, and that tomorrow will be the source of our hope.