We continue to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus during this springtime season of flowers and new life. In every Mass throughout the year, we profess in the creed: I believe in the resurrection of the body. What does it mean to have the body resurrected? We are all familiar with attending wakes in the presence of the deceased body or ash remains in an urn. Today’s gospel Jesus is showing his stunned apostles his resurrected body. Here we see that resurrection means a real restoration of our human life and not simply the ongoing existence of an immortal soul. We human beings are a unity of body and soul, not simply a soul that is temporarily using a body. The risen Jesus shows himself to his disciples in a risen body. They are so amazed that they wonder if they are seeing a ghost—a spirit in the form of a person without a body – so Jesus wants to make clear of a real human body by inviting the disciples to touch him and by eating with them. A “spiritual” body resurrection is not enough. So while passing from this life leaves a mortal body or remains behind, our Creator who can do all things and work all wonders will in mystical eternal time also provide for the resurrection of our bodies. This is the wonder of Christianity and dying in the friendship of Christ.
An informative note on Funerals. Our Catholic Church prefers the body present in a casket as the body is to be honored as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Cremation is permissible but it is preferred that a rented casket be used for the funeral and cremation take place afterwards, although it is also allowed the have the burial urn present in the church. If cremation is chosen the church expects that the cremated remains be respectfully buried and not kept or stored or ashes scattered.
Father Henry's 50th anniversary of his ordination will be Sat., May 19th 2018. A 4 pm Mass [replacing the 5 pm Mass] will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Church followed by a buffet dinner [by reservation--$20 donation] at Roma’s Restaurant. If interested in the dinner banquet, fill out one of the reservation forms found at the exits and Marian Hall & mail in or drop in the basket at Mass or in the rectory door mail slot. Please RSVP by April 19th.
