March 17, 2010
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. Isaiah 49:13-15
"I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me. John 5:30
Piety
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Study
According to Stephen Walker, the symbolism of the Celtic cross is shared by many different people who claim it as their own. In our modern multicultural world the ringed cross is as much a symbol of ethnic heritage as it is of faith and it is often used as an emblem of ones Irish, Scottish or Welsh identity.
Yesterday, at a Mass of Christian Burial for The Honorable Ronald Horan, Sr., Fr. Kevin offered one explanation. Celtic spirituality recognizes the sacred in all things. The circle represents our unity with all things made by God, including each other. Through the symbol of the cross, Christ becomes the brother who unites all of us to all creation.
Legend has it that St. Patrick traced the Christian cross over the Druid circle to unite the symbols of both traditions. If that is true, then it was very appropriate that the doors on both sides of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church sported two green Celtic crosses each.
The unity of all is brought together by the shared symbols at the Funeral Mass. Water reminds us of our shared baptism with Christ. The white cloth draped over the casket symbolizes our Baptismal garment. The songs and ritual of the Mass remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made on behalf of all of us.
Each of us has unique memories of our loved ones who have passed on to life in Christ. Yesterday, Ron Horan, Jr., shared one special heartfelt story about his father’s commitment to the spirit of the law despite the slings he suffered from the legal community. Yet for all our differences, the scripture readings and prayers recited by Missy and Chris also unite us in one faith tradition. Whether it is Psalm 23, the Peace Prayer of St. Francis, or the famous Irish Blessing, our rituals help give us anchors to hold on to when we are feeling lost, alone, and have to let go of the physical memories of those we love.
Action
The final resting place reminds us that no matter what we do in life, our physical bodies will all end up in the same condition. How we live our life will determine what happens to our spiritual life here and beyond. Nothing we do or accomplish is done alone if we seek to do the will of the one who sends us forth to love and serve the world. As Fr. Kevin put it in his homily yesterday, there is no expiration date on the love that the Lord has for Ron Horan, Sr., Jr., or for any of the rest of us.
