In light of the recent deaths of some dear parishioners, as well as the little 5 years old (Mollie) from Ft. Smith that I wrote about a few weeks ago along with my special needs friend, Terry Ann from Hot Springs, I must admit that those deaths have touched me and have led me to grieve their loss from their families and all of them (except the 5 year old little girl) from my life. I am so thankful that I and hopefully the families and friends of the deceased, grieve with hope because of our belief that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead to bring us eternal life and promises eternal life to those who believe in him. When people say to me, "Father how are you able to deal with so many deaths?" My response to that question is "because I have faith and hope in the Lord Jesus and in his desire that we and our loved ones 'marked with the sign of faith' be with him for all eternity (Jn 17: 24-26, Jn 14:1-6)." I am truly blessed to be a sign of hope (beyond what this world offers) to people who are experiencing and grieving the loss of a loved one. In the prayers that are prayed before and at the time of death, at the wake service (if there is one) and at the Mass of Resurrection and the comforting scripture passages that are proclaimed, we have the means in part to work through our grief and receive the support first of the Lord and then others to move on with our lives and look forward to a great reunion with our loved ones in the glorious presence of the Lord. One of the Prefaces before the Eucharistic Prayer at Masses of Resurrection says it so beautifully. "For as one alone he accepted death, so that we might all escape from dying; as one man he chose to die, so that in your sight we all might live forever." (Preface II For The Dead).
"But Thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 15:57
"But Thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 15:57