July 29, 2005
This morning, I had the privilege and the pleasure to bury a faithful Christian. You may think the word “pleasure” a bit unusual, yet in a real way, it was a pleasure. Let me tell you why.
When I am asked to conduct a funeral service and Mass for the “over eighty” club, I am not surprised that the deceased was a faithful Catholic. Yes, “fidelity” is the one word which could readily be carved in their granite tombstones. These are the men and women, many of them first generation immigrants, who I consider a very special breed – a dying breed.
The people I speak of were great simply because they thought we were great. They were hard-working, humble and helpful, simple and sacrificial. What made them so wonderful was that they didn’t think much about themselves. I didn’t say “of themselves”, but “about themselves”. Sad to say, there are too many people, some of whom are their children and grandchildren, who didn’t follow in their footsteps. Perhaps I too am one of them.
While there are always exceptions, I think you know some of the members of this “club”. They appeared never to complain or talk about what “they deserved”. They weren’t about “entitlements” – that is, what they were entitled to. They were about us; making our lives better. “Treating themselves” to new clothing or jewelry or a big vacation was far from their minds, although they were sincerely happy when we entitled ourselves with these things.
Yes, this is the “over eighty” club, who probably could not quote many verses from the Bible, but lived them out better than a Pentecostal preacher. What they could not recite with their lips, they put into practice in their lives. “I have come to serve, not to be served”. “Blessed are the poor in spirit”. “You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself”.
While funeral Masses can often be sad, especially those conducted for the young, my Mass this morning was a great grace. I had the opportunity to talk about a group of people who have much to teach this generation – myself included! Lessons like: “don’t complain”, “work hard”, “be thoughtful and generous”, “obey God”, and “pray always”.
Today, when I sprinkled the coffin and the grave with holy water, I thought to myself, “One day, maybe very soon, it will be my turn”. Do you think such a thought is depressing? Well, whatever you think, do know it is also true. “We know not the day or the hour”, yet when we die is not as important as how we live. Before they all leave us, get to spend some time with the “over eighty” club. Perhaps if we listen and learn their lessons real well, attending our funeral will be for many not only a privilege, but also a pleasure.
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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