Mass of Christian Burial: Homily

Bro. Michael J. Rosenello, OSFS
September 29, 2019

Brother Mike

Our assembly this morning is marked by our collective sorrow and grief. We come together because we cannot be alone. Our sorrow needs an expression and our grief needs comfort. We find these - in our faith, in our being with one another, and in our shared remembrances of Bro. Mike.

We are assembled here to day to offer prayers in which we celebrate Bro. Mike’s birth into new life and, a time to comfort those who mourn his passing. As followers and Disciples of Christ we always look to the scriptures for comfort and consolation as St. Paul suggested long ago.

In the first reading from Ecclesiastes, the fourteen pairs of opposites describe various human activities; a time to be born, a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to heal, a time to die, and a time for us to morn.

The poem affirms that God has determined the appropriate moment or “time” for each. Human beings cannot know that moment; and, the wider course of events and purposes fixed by God are beyond them as well. It is both a summery of all human life in general as well as each special and unique life. Bro. Mike was unique to you as a friend and as his obit says; “contractor”, “chef”, “caterer”, “coach”, “confidant” and “carnival barker” but a special gift from God to all of us.

There are a number of places in the scriptures where God’s presence is made known by a loud voice. It was certainly the case that if you were looking for Bro. Mike all you had to do was listen!

Jesus, in the Gospel, promises us that God has prepared a dwelling place for us. I’m sure Bro. Mike’s dwelling place has a wonderful all-night kitchen where he will forever enjoy shouting orders in that loud voice and making everyone feel at home.

We say to each other, -- that we recall loved ones in our heart, we recount stories, we hear them laugh; while not present physically, their presence can be felt nonetheless. Relationships can span the distance of place and time. I am sure that between this time and when you first learned of Bro. Mike’s death, you remembered a story or most likely you recalled one or more of his gifts and talents, his ability to evoke a smile or laugh and use that unique human ability to bring a light moment to another person; this is a powerful and special God given gift. 

Bro. Mike, like St. Paul, has finished the race, he has completed the physical work that can be seen through out the parish and the spiritual work of bringing all of us closer to God.

Our purpose here today is to offer the consolation that come from our faith and to encourage you to tell each other your own experiences of Bro Mike, and how his own faith and… his faith in you, has touched your hearts.

May he rest in Peace.