Resurrection

In the Catholic tradition, a funeral Mass is called a Mass of the Resurrection, because we know that death is but a door we pass through to eternal life. My dad's request was that the procedings be simple, and our respect for who he was in life meant that there would be little fanfare or hoopla. He didn't want floral tributes festooning the church or coffin, and he didn't want scores of people wailing over him at the funeral home.

As it happens, we are still in the Christmas season, so the Church is dressed in her Christmas best. The small parish church here had a simple tree decked in white lights and red ribbons; poinsettias decorated the sacristy and the Nativity was arranged in front of the altar with the Holy Family perfectly placed to welcome Pop. It was like he was a child himself as he rested before the altar, and that is how he went to God.

His mass was offered by priests and a deacon who knew and loved him; we chose hymns he had sung off-key but full-throated, often with tears streaming down his cheeks; he had selected the readings himself, and they were ones that acknowledged suffering, but praised God for His mercy and glory. 

I can't find the words to express how perfect it was in its simple and authentic love. It was a day that honoured a fine man and a day that brought peace and joy to his family and friends. A Mass of Resurrection indeed: after three days, Pop was born to eternal life and we rejoice.

*~*

The following day, the women of his family went to his grave for the first time, to give him our flowers - the ones he didn't want yesterday at the funeral. I think he would have allowed us that. We found ourselves lighthearted, as we noticed he had James Bond across the road from him, and that his vantage point allowed him to see all the comings and goings - something he took great delight in, in life. He would give everyone a name like Mr. Sock or Wilbur, saving up stories of the silly things they did to make us laugh. That too, gave us comfort. We know we can pray to him anywhere, but we have a really beautiful place to go and visit him. He had thought of that, too.