Today I had a funeral in the parish. As I was preparing for the funeral and the words to speak in such a moment, the words of the closing prayer of this morning prayer came to mind, "Lord let the radiance of your love scatter the gloom of our hearts, The light of heaven's love has restored us to life."
The light of heaven's love has restored us to life.
What a beautiful sentiment. What a beautiful truth.
At every funeral in the church, there standing at the foot of the casket is the Easter Candle burning bright. The eternal flame shines brightly to remind us of this truth that comes to us from the this morning's prayer...
The light of heaven's love has restored us to life. The radiance of the Lord's love scatters the gloom of our hearts.
As Christians, as St. Paul reminds us, we do not grieve like all the rest. Even in our gloom and sorrow there is a glimmer of hope, for the light of heaven's love illumines our path, not only in earthly life but into the great beyond.
Thus we come to the words of Solomon in today's first reading, "there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart."
This is what the light of the Easter Candle represents for us. Easter changes everything.
"May the angels lead you into Paradise,
May the martyrs come to welcome you
And take you to the holy city,
The new and eternal Jerusalem.
May choirs of angels welcome you
And lead you to the bosom of Abraham;
And where Lazarus is poor no longer
May you find eternal rest."
Be blessed.
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