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There are many scripture texts from which the family and friends of the deceased may choose when selecting the texts to be read at a funeral Mass. The one which is the shortest of them all (only one verse long) is one of my own favorites, not because it is brief but because of the promise it embodies...
A reading from the book of Revelation
I heard a voice from heaven say,
"Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors,
for their works accompany them."
"For their works accompany them..." I love to preach on this text at a funeral because the one we have gathered to pray for so often is a person of many good works. Not the kind of good works that merit headlines or trophies or ribbons but rather, the simple good works that pave a path to paradise: avoiding evil and seeking the good; fidelity to a spouse; patience in raising children; a forgiving heart; quiet acts of kindness; praying in good times and in bad; caring for neighbors' needs; persevering on cloudy days; favoring the vulnerable; taking one step at a time; rejoicing in small things...
When one considers the many "works" which will accompany our loved ones (and ourselves) to heaven's door, there is great reason to hope that the life promised us in baptism will, indeed, be ours. Not because our good works have earned or merited that life which is a pure gift to us, but because peace promised had already begun to bear fruit in this life: the signs of eternal life are already present in the simple, faithful ways we serve God and our neighbor.
As the closing prayer at the cemetery committal reminds us:
God of holiness and power,
accept our prayers on behalf of your servant William;
do not count his deeds against him
for in his heart he desired to do your will...
Not only our good works but even our desire to do God's will
will accompany our loved ones and ourselves to the threshold of eternity.
Our God is, indeed, rich in mercy and abounding in kindness!
I love the reading you have suggested from the book of Revelation...it says so much, in so few words.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, is it possible for you to put together a list of your "top 10" scripture readings for funerals and a similar list for weddings? I think this could be invaluable in helping those who are planning for, or in the case of a funeral, suddenly hit by the need to think about what readings they may like to have at their loved one's funeral.
You could post them as a side bar or just as links in a blog message.
I know that when our family needed to plan a funeral, Concord Pastor and Sr. RoseMarie had a wonderful book from which we were able to choose readings, psalms and music. I don't know what we would have done without this wonderful tool to help ease the burden of pulling together a funeral befitting the family and loved one.
ReplyDeleteAs for a wedding list, I've never been in need of something like that but I would be surprised if they didn't have one for that occasion as well.
In both cases (funerals and weddings) parishes offer families/brides and grooms) materials for helping to prepare the liturgy, and the readings most suited for those occasions.
ReplyDeleteThe Lectionary (the book of scripture passages chosen for Sundays, feasts, seasons and sacraments) locates in one place those scriptures especially suited for particular occasions. Some pastors will restrict choices to those in the lectionary (not a bad stance to take) and others will be more open about allowing other appropriate texts from the bible.
I would be slow to indicate what all my favorites are and would prefer the family/bride and groom to choose those texts that they find most appropriate for the liturgy their family is about to celebrate.
So, no one is suddenly hit by the task of preparing a special liturgy. Help will be given as you make your choices.