Being received in heaven

Here is the text of the homily I prepared for the funeral we celebrated today in memory of one of the women who often graced the back pews of our church, quietly spoke her truth and gently accepted God's many gifts.

Funeral homily for Mary Jane Purdon

For some who gather here today, the realities of this past week may still seem like a dream.  Just this past weekend, you spent time with MJ and with Des, and even up to Monday evening, she was still able to quip with her usual sense of humor.  Yet the truth is that we are here in this church to pray our loving sister into eternity.  So quickly has life changed.  Where once there was joy, it seems now that there is going to be a great time of distress (Daniel 12:1) for we will see her no more in this life.  Where can we turn for some consolation in the midst of our questions and our confusion?

The gospel passage that was chosen for this liturgy is Saint Matthew’s account of the beginning of the great Sermon on the Mount: Jesus’ description of the traits we should all strive for in order to find true happiness.  I’m sure that many of the people who heard these words as they were spoken were surprised by them, and perhaps we too might be surprised to see how they still apply to us today.

Blessed are the poor in spirit … (Matthew 5:3)

Poverty of spirit may better be understood in today’s language as humility.  If MJ had lived a few months longer, she would have celebrated her 80^th birthday this year, and she and her beloved Des would have celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary.  I wonder how many people in today’s world can even imagine what it is like to live for that long committed to one person.  For six decades, you built your lives together; you shared the gifts of yourselves with each other and with everyone else whose life was intertwined with yours – sometimes for short periods and sometimes for more extensive ones.   Those who have walked this path before you will quickly agree though that marriage, and life in general teach us to celebrate the good times with great joy and to face the struggles together with perseverance.  In other words, we learn the virtues of humility and gratitude.

Blessed are the gentle …(Matthew 5:5)

For many years, MJ worked in various capacities with the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board.  The situations she would have encountered and the people she would have met in the course of her work would not always have been pleasant, but from what I’ve learned about her, I can imagine that she always tried to be welcoming, to be fair with those she met and to find solutions that would guarantee peace at any cost.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right … (Matthew 5:6)

Mike, Nancy, Mona and Carol, you were the most precious gifts that MJ and Des could ever have shared together.  From the time you were born, they have loved you.  They celebrated your victories and they stood by you when you were struggling.  In time, as you yourselves found others to share your journeys with you, and as you witnessed the births of your own children, they have continued to be keenly interested in every moment of your lives.  Matthew and Scott, Erin, Sean and Jonathan, you all know how your grandmother always agonized over making sure that your Christmas gifts were just right, and how far they were always willing to travel just to be present at the major moments of your lives.  Some in today’s world might think that they went too far, but they have always wanted you to understand the value of family, and to understand that it is worth the effort to do the right thing.

Blessed are those who are merciful … (Matthew 5:7)

No matter whether you were a part of MJ’s immediate family, or one of her colleagues, or a passing acquaintance, everyone could recognize the importance she placed on doing for others what she herself would want them to do for her.  She was always approachable, she had a sympathetic ear, she had a naturally calming effect on those she met.  She always sought to listen, not only to the words that were spoken but also to the underlying worries and struggles, and she always sought to be an example of understanding and mercy for those who needed it most.

Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right … (Matthew 5:10)

Let’s face it, siblings don’t always get along well together.  Outsiders who witness the way that most brothers and sisters interact together would be convinced that they could almost be one another’s enemies but when all the cards are dealt, deep down under all the bravado, there is a bond that holds you together in a way that is seldom spoken of.  One of MJs greatest joys and sources of comfort was the knowledge that in her latter years, she was able to know always that two of her sisters were physically so close to her, and this made it possible for you to share many happy moments together.

Saint Paul reminded the early Christian community in Rome that if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord (Romans 14:7).  MJ spent every day of her life living for the Lord, and for others.  Because of this, we are sure that she will now be richly rewarded.  When her moment arrived to stand before the judgment seat of God, the approval she sought was swiftly granted - as swift as a star shooting across the heavens.  When our moment comes, may we too be met with such mercy, and be ready to bend our knee before the Lord as we sing his praises (cf Romans 14:12).