Dear Parishioners,
I remember growing up in the 1960s as a child going for a walk around the pier and viewing the life of the “hippies” and “Jesus freaks.” Often, you find some street corner preacher talking about “the end is coming soon” or “have you been saved.” As a young man, one would rarely think about end times or even one’s own demise. However, as a young man, I would first experience death in losing my dad as a child of twelve. He was only 53 years old. As a young teen and altar server, I would participate in many a funeral at the parish church (as it also got me out of class for an hour, too).
As a priest of nearly 30 years I have presided over many funerals from the very youngest to the eldest. Each has its own claim in the minds and hearts of the people whom it touches. Some are very difficult. As a priest, it is my job to speak of life and death. Death is not to be feared (although we do) but we “await the blessed hope.” We prepare for the day of our homegoing in our journey here and now. Our scriptures today remind us that we do not know the day nor the hour of our call home so we must be prepared and stay ready while living in this blessed hope.
The journey continues…on the Way…. preparing to go Home.
Blessings,
Fr. Mark
