A time for the Word

More often than not anymore, at funerals, family members want to "say some words."  Now the Rite for Catholic Funerals does not allow for eulogies, or the like, during the liturgies.  During the vigil family and friends are invited to share stories and reflections.  The Funeral homily should reflect on the scriptures, and attempt to bring understanding and comfort to the grieving, as the Paschal Mystery is expounded upon. 

Sometimes there is a lack of appreciation for what is occurring at this point of the funeral.  The celebration of the Eucharist unites us to the mystery of faith we celebrate, and at the Mass we the grieving unite the soul of our loved one to the communion which is celebrated and offered.  So we have moved from gathering as family and friends around the body of our beloved, into the coming together as the larger faith family, to profess our faith on the Paschal Mystery, pray for the deceased, and begin the journey of healing, encouraged by those at the funeral.

Several days ago I celebrated a Funeral where the family was insistent at saying "some words" at the funeral.  I went through the guidelines, suggested no more than one page, and asked to see the text beforehand.  As I listened to this woman speak I was taken by the fact that the most important characteristic of the deceased, was that they were a 'nice' person.  After twenty minutes I came away with knowing that this was a nice and kind person.

What was absent was any sense of faith, mention of God, or hope that is held out to us by the Paschal Mystery.  In some ways this talk was more depressing than it was of any comfort.  To be sure, the words of sacred scripture, and the prayers of the Church, are filled with hope and joy.  At the time of death it would seem better to recall that we are loved and saved by God, than we will miss Aunt Olga's special brownies. 

Throughout the centuries theologians and spiritual writers have reminded us that we are made for something much more than the world we see around us.  The fact that we are created and redeemed by the God of life means we strive to be more than just nice, and we find comfort in the love and compassion that God has bestowed on us.  In the face of the Paschal Mystery, and the Christ who continues to be in our midst, our words pale in comparison.  At times of death, we should seek to hear the Word of God made flesh.