Memorial Mass Homily 2012

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One of the hardest parts about losing a person in death of someone we love is not always necessary the funeral but when everyone has gone home and we are alone with our own thoughts. We also may find a close friend to talk to about some of the events leading up to the funeral and also what the future has in store for you.

The disciples in today’s gospel had just lost their friend who they had placed so much hope in. They were talking about everything that had been going on trying their best to make sense of all the events. And Jesus walks among them but they were unable to recognize him. They only really recognize him in the breaking of bread.

Often we can feel that we do not recognize the love of Christ that has been lavished upon us in times of distress or grief and we find it hard to recognize him. And yet it is here at the Eucharist that Jesus is truly present to us in a very real way. The disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread in the Eucharist. We also recognize him in the breaking of bread when we come to Mass for it is here that we discover his love for us. For here is the risen Christ walking among us. And it is also here that we are closest to those who have gone before us because we get that glimpse of heaven in the Mass.

Jesus promised us eternal life to be with him forever. We can be sure of that promise and that we “shall see him as he really is” because we are his children and although we may not necessarily recognize him he recognizes all his children.

And so we come today in the presence of the one who loves us to pray for those who have died but also to support and pray for each other. 

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