Sunday's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051814.cfm
One thing she could not stand – the thing that she really
disliked the most – was when you recognized her publicly for the good she had
done. If Margaret Patterson received some public praise, her eyes would
get big and she would give that classic glance of disapproval. [Well,
Margaret, you are going to have to endure a little bit of recognition.]
In a funeral homily (sermon), the Catholic Church asks priests not to eulogize
the beloved deceased but rather to preach the mystery of the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ and how it relates to the new life of
the individual believer. However, since Margaret was such a good friend
and a sort of mother to me (especially when I first arrived to Centerville and
Hilltop Lakes), I cannot help but reflect on how I was inspired by her life and
love.
The Lord is kind and merciful (Ps 103).
This is the responsorial psalm we sang today. It is also the essence of
the good news of Jesus Christ, that is, that God – the Trinity – is a kind and
merciful God. Margaret believed this, and that is why she was so generous
with her time and treasure – not just with her family – but with the
Church, Catholic Charities, and those who needed her. St.
Paul in Romans 6:3-9 tells us how our baptism is death to sin so we can rise to
new life in Jesus Christ. Our old self is crucified with Christ so that
we can live the new life of grace. Once again, this is the good news of
Jesus Christ: redemption from sin. Margaret had a bit of “Catholic guilt”
– never feeling worthy of God’s mercy – but trusting in it nonetheless.
She believed in God’s mercy, especially as He chooses to show it through the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. But the one belief for which she had the
most passion and devotion is the mystery of the Most Blessed Sacrament – the
Eucharist – that Jesus Christ changes bread and wine into His own living Body,
Blood, Soul and Divinity at every Mass. Jesus in John 6 tells us
plainly, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever
eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh
for the life of the world” (Jn 6:51). The
Catholic Church has always taken Jesus at His word, that is, He is not speaking
figuratively. Otherwise, His disciples would not have left him (see Jn
6:66).
Margaret believed in this mystery of Our Lord so ardently that
it shaped her whole life, her whole family, and her whole parish. She
prayed and worked hard for decades for this beautiful church to be built here
in Hilltop Lakes, and as a special favor from God, she lived to see it built
and furnished. She believed that God deserves the very best, and this
beautiful church stands as a witness to our belief in the Real Presence.
When I celebrate Mass and when I preside at Adoration – at St. Leo’s or at St.
Thomas More – I still see her in that front left pew looking intently at Jesus
in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Her faith and love for the Eucharist
inspired me as a priest. Towards the end, Margaret told me she loved me
every time I visited her at the Manor or at the Isle.
I know she loved her late husband, J.R., her siblings, her children, her
grandchildren, and she loved this community — but most of all she loved the
Lord in the Eucharist. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (Jn 6:58).
Her body is physically present here, but her soul will always be present with
us most especially at each Mass, through the Communion of Saints; and we know
the Lord will raise her on the last day. We love you Margaret, we will
miss you, and we will pray for your happy repose. Pray for us, and help
us to trust, like you did, that the Lord is kind and merciful.
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