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Memorial Mass My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: It is always a great pleasure to greet you, the members of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. I thank you for your great service to the Church. May the good Lord look kindly upon you and continue to bless you and your families. This year’s Memorial Mass sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 1038 and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas is being offered to remember our brother Knights and all our loved ones who have died. Thanks to Oliver Douberly, our organist and choir director here at Our Lady’s Cathedral, we are led in prayer by a special choir and instrumentalists. The music is called “The Little Mass” and was written by Franz Josef Haydn, a musical genius. This classical music being played and sung so well is not an end in itself. Nor is it merely a performance for our entertainment. Rather, through the beauty of the music and the singing, we are given the inspiration and motivation to pray for the peaceful and happy repose of the souls of our loved ones who have died: Requiem aeternam! Through His creative design and meaningful plan, Almighty God leads us by means of ordinary events to appreciate the Mysteries of His Kingdom that we cannot fully fathom. He thereby makes it possible for us to believe, to hope and to accept the truths and realities He has revealed to us through His Son, Jesus. Jesus speaks of Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life. Moreover, He promises us that He will give us life everlasting. Since ordinary life is itself a mystery as is the concept of eternity, how can we ever believe in eternal life? At the end of last month, an early cold spell came across Oklahoma, warning us that winter is on the way. Although moderate temperatures returned, the sign of winter became evident in the changing colors of the leaves. This sign signaled a change from life to death as the colored leaves fell to the ground to wither and be blown away. The trees that were once alive with fresh foliage are now taking on the picture of death. The bare branches and dark shadows speak of death and not life. Yet in changing, in shedding their leaves and dying, there is a great beauty. We all enjoy the autumn colors. Even though winter is setting in, we maintain hope. There is a great expectation. We are convinced that next spring, the sunshine, the extra light and increasing temperatures will stir up life and the trees will bud again, producing new blossoms and leaves and foliage. Like the dying leaves of autumn, our brothers and sisters have been called by the Lord. They have fallen asleep in Him. We can no longer see them. They are no longer here among us. But we believe that they are not dead forever. Even now they live in the Lord. On the last day, He will raise them up again and they shall have eternal life in heaven with Him. Today we gather in a spirit of faith, remembering our loved ones who have died. We do this because we believe in Jesus Who rose from the dead and Who promised us life everlasting. Thus we see death not as an end in itself. We see it as a means whereby we can move from this mortal, temporary life on this earth to everlasting life in heaven forever. The peaceful classical music accompanying our prayer today lends a sense of beauty to our liturgy. It is awesome and helps stir up our appreciation. Like all the other good gifts that God gives us, this beautiful music raises us beyond our limited ability. It enables us to participate in something more striking than our own talents could produce. A new comprehension is experienced even though not totally grasped or understood. Again, inspired by this music, we can sing: “Death, oh Death, where is thy victory? Where is thy sting?” We are assured by Jesus Himself: “If you believe in Me, you shall not die.” Remember, Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus is our life and our resurrection. The Good News that Jesus reveals is multifaceted because it touches every area of our human life. However, it is also singular and unique because He Himself is that Good News. Salvation history begins with the creation of human beings by God. He made us in His own Image and Likeness. He breathed life into us by the cooperation of our parents. He wishes to share this gift of life with us forever and completely. When human beings sinned and became incapable of living with God, the Eternal Father sent His Son Jesus to save us. Jesus came. He lived. He suffered and He died for us. Then He rose from the dead and promises to raise us up also. Thus we have Jesus, the Eternal Spring, Who brings us new life after our winter of sin and death. In a spirit of faith, we have a great confidence that, just as this beautiful music inspires us today, so does the Word of God usher our loved ones into everlasting life. “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.” Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.” Most Reverend
Eusebius J. Beltran |