33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Day 3

 

Day 3

The opening song for my funeral (at least as of this moment) is “Give Me Jesus”. I love the refrain: Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, give me Jesus. 

Death, Judgement. Heaven. Hell.

I have met lots of people who are afraid to talk about death. Heck, some of them are even afraid to think about it. In many ways, I’m just the opposite. I enjoy talking about the time I die in this earthly body only to rise with Christ. In many ways I am like St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians chapter one when he writes: “I am caught between the two (life and death). I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better. Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.” Philippians 1:23-24

When asked how things are going, I sometimes hear people say something like this. Oh, I’ve got this problem or that problem, but it’s better than the alternative (referring to dying). And I want to say. Wait a minute! No. It’s not. The alternative, life with Christ, is far better.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a death wish. I just believe with all my heart that heaven is something to truly look forward to. St. Paul says it well: “For to me life is Christ and death is gain.” Philippians 1:21

The key to all of this is Christian joy. To be able to find joy even in the midst of struggle, even in the midst of pain. This year is the 20^th anniversary of the most difficult year of my life. Back in 2005, in late February, my Aunt Sharon died very suddenly and unexpectantly. In late March of 2005, during Holy Week, my cousin, Monsignor Frank Touhy, died. My mom died on Easter Sunday that year (March 27) and her sister, my Aunt Charlene died less than two weeks later. Finally, my dad died on June 2, 2005. It was a hard time. There were lots of tears and questioning and pain. But through it all, I hope I never lost my sense of joy. I don’t think I did.  

The Eucharist sustained me as I celebrated those funerals. Receiving Jesus on those occasions reminded me that this is what we all long for. Not life here, but communion with God in heaven.