A priest swings a censer over a casket to honour the body of the deceased. In life, it has been a temple of the Holy Spirit, writes Father Hawkswell. In death, it is commended into the hands of God and buried in consecrated ground. (CNS photo)
First
Sunday of Advent, Year C
First
Reading: Jer
33:14-16
Second
Reading: 1 Thes
3:12-4:2
Gospel
Reading: Lk
21:25-28, 34-36
Just a few weeks ago, near the end of her liturgical year, the Church reminded us about death, judgement, hell, and heaven – the four last things to be ever remembered. This Sunday, the first of her new liturgical year, she recalls them again.
Once, after a funeral Mass, a lady I know remarked, “I expected to come out of church even sadder than when I went in. But a Catholic funeral looks forward, not back.” In contrast, so-called “celebrations of life” look back, to the life that has ended, leaving us grieving like “those who have no hope.”
(A Catholic funeral is no longer something we can take for granted. We must be sure, before we die, to record our wishes in writing.)
Indeed, those who have died seem, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; their death looks like utter destruction. However, the Church knows better. If we die in the Lord, a member of his Mystical Body, alive with the supernatural life he gave us at baptism, then death is just awakening to new life.
If he finds us worthy of himself, God admits us to heaven, immediately or after purification in purgatory. Assuming that many of us will need this “purgation,” the Church, at a funeral, prays for the dead rather than praising them. In particular, she urges that the homily not be a eulogy, but instead explain the mystery of Christian death.
Besides the joys of heaven, a Catholic funeral looks forward to the resurrection of the body, a doctrine we affirm in the Creed every Sunday.
Many people believe vaguely that human life continues in some fashion after death. However, Christians believe that on the last day Christ will raise up our bodies, even though they have been separated from our souls in death, even though they have decayed or been burned.
To the Sadducees, who denied it, Jesus said, “You are badly misled, because you fail to understand the Scriptures or the power of God.” To Martha, grieving for Lazarus, he said, “Your brother will rise again.” When she replied, “I know he will rise again, in the resurrection on the last day,” Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the life.” We can be sure, then, that if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to our mortal bodies also.
That is why the Church, at a Catholic funeral Mass, honours the body with incense and holy water. Even during our natural lives, it has been a temple of the Holy Spirit. Now, destined to rise again, it is finally commended into the hands of God and buried in consecrated ground.
The Church prefers burial to cremation, for Jesus’ body was buried, but she permits cremation, provided it is not chosen in order to deny the resurrection. If the body is cremated, the ashes are treated with similar respect. They should be not scattered, but buried, for the burial site makes a focus for remembrance and prayer.
Finally, the Church’s prayer for those who have died reminds us that death does not break our spiritual union with them. All who are in Christ as in one Mystical Body remain in communion with one another, whether we belong to the saints in heaven, the faithful on earth, or the souls in purgatory. In particular, we can still help those who have died through an exchange of spiritual goods, including our prayers for the repose of their souls.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.” We should pray this prayer frequently: when we hear of a death in the news, at the end of “Grace After Meals,” when we pass a cemetery, and whenever we think of a loved one who has died.
Father Hawkswell teaches a free course on the Catholic faith from now until Pentecost: every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre, 4885 Saint John Paul II Way (just off 33rd Avenue between Oak and Cambie) and twice every Monday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Parish, 2347 Inglewood Avenue, West Vancouver, and from 7 to 9 p.m. at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre. Everyone is welcome, Catholic or non-Catholic.