Sede Vacante!

Sede Vacante!

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit upon the conclave.

+++

Pope Benedict XVI hours from His Holiness Benedict, Pope Emeritus

POPE TO COLLEGE OF CARDINALS: “I WILL BE NEAR TO YOU”

Vatican City, 28 February 2013 (VIS) – At 11:00am in the Clementine Hall, Benedict XVI greeted the College of Cardinals, whose dean, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, addressed a short farewell to the Pope on behalf of all those present.

“It is with great emotion,” he said, “that the Cardinal Fathers present in Rome gather around you today, to once again express to you their deep affection and heartfelt gratitude for your selfless witness of apostolic service, for the good of Christ's Church and of all humanity.”

The cardinal recalled the words that, last Saturday at the end of the Lenten Retreat, the Pope addressed to his collaborators in the Roman Curia: “I would like to thank all of you and not only for this week, but for these past eight years that you have borne with me—with great skill, affection, love, and faith—the weight of the Petrine ministry.”

“Beloved and revered Successor of Peter,” the cardinal exclaimed, “we are the ones who must thank you for the example you have given us in these eight years of your Pontificate. On 19 April, 2005, you joined the long line of successors of the Apostle Peter and today, 28 February, 2013, you are about to leave us, awaiting that the helm of Peter's Barque be transferred to other hands. Thus the apostolic succession, which the Lord promised to His Holy Church, will continue until the voice of the Angel of the Apocalypse is heard on earth, proclaiming 'Tempus non erit amplius ... consummabitur mysterium Dei' 'There shall be no more delay. ... The mysterious plan of God shall be fulfilled!' Thus will end the history of the Church, together with the history of the world, with the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.”

Full story here

Pope Benedict XVI: The Boat Belongs to Jesus

I slept for a couple of hours last night, waking at 12:40 a.m. and was unable to return to sleep. I had peeked at Facebook using my mobile phone and began to read a long and bitter comment thread involving some "Christians" who made it clear that they hate the Roman Catholic Church, and that Catholics will suffer hell for eternity. In the past, I may have joined the conversation to try to persuade them to see that the things that they thought they hated about the Church were simply not true, but the vileness of the comments was such that I just stayed out of it.

By then I noticed it was nearly 3:00 a.m., and Pope Benedict XVI would soon be greeting his final public audience as the pontiff. I had to stay up to watch, and I was surely not disappointed.

Pope Benedict, as always, spoke warmly and sincerely. Those who have criticized him, like the aforementioned group, do so for what they think he says, not what he really says. I hope that you will take the time to read the full text found here, and check out a few of my favorites (below) from the address (emphasis mine):

Nevertheless, I always knew that the Lord is in the barque (boat), that the barque of the Church is not mine, not ours, but His - and He shall not let her sink. It is He, who steers her: to be sure, he does so also through men of His choosing, for He desired that it be so.

and 

Here, one can touch what the Church is – not an organization, not an association for religious or humanitarian purposes, but a living body, a community of brothers and sisters in the Body of Jesus Christ, who unites us all. To experience the Church in this way and almost be able to touch with one’s hands the power of His truth and His love, is a source of joy, in a time in which many speak of its decline.

and 

I said before that many people who love the Lord also love the Successor of Saint Peter and are fond of him, that the Pope has truly brothers and sisters, sons and daughters all over the world, and that he feels safe in the embrace of their communion, because he no longer belongs to himself, but he belongs to all and all are truly his own. The “always” is also a “forever” - there is no returning to private life. My decision to forgo the exercise of active ministry, does not revoke this. I do not return to private life, to a life of travel, meetings, receptions, conferences and so on. I do not abandon the cross, but remain in a new way near to the Crucified Lord.

+++ 

Liturgy: What is said when there is no Pope?

During the Eucharistic Prayer this past Sunday, recognizing that it would be the last Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict XVI as our pope, I wondered what would be said this coming Sunday when there is no pope. Later that evening, my wife Kendra asked that very question of me, so that made it a little more important for me to find out. :-)

Well, long story short, the Priest will simply omit the papal reference. The USCCB has released a document, LITURGICAL NOTES AND RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR USE UPON THE RESIGNATION OF THE POPE which among other things addresses this:

The Eucharistic Prayer 

In accord with liturgical norms, the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs I is appropriately used. 

Until 2:00 PM Eastern time, February 28, 2013, the formula for mentioning the name of the Pope in the Eucharistic Prayer is to be followed as usual. After that time, during the sede vacante, the formula is adjusted as follows: 

Eucharistic Prayer I (The Roman Canon) Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with N. our Bishop, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.7 

Eucharistic Prayer II Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with N. our Bishop and all the clergy. 

Eucharistic Prayer III May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord, advance the peace and salvation of all the world. Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim Church on earth, with N. our Bishop, the Order of Bishops, all the clergy, and the entire people you have gained for your own. 

Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs I Lord, renew your Church (which is in N.) by the light of the Gospel. Strengthen the bond of unity between the faithful and the pastors of your people, together with N. our Bishop, and the whole Order of Bishops, that in a world torn by strife your people may shine forth as a prophetic sign of unity and concord

--------------------------------
Thanks to Sr. Dorothy Eggering, SSND from the Office of Worship, Diocese of Dallas

"You did it for Me"; Help a sister in need

Lisa Graas, also known as Catholic Bandita and @CatholicLisa can really use our prayers and assistance at the moment.

Although that should really be all the information we need, I want to say that Lisa is a faithful Catholic MOM, who already has some struggles and difficulties that most do not.

Lisa's open and straightforward blogging has helped many people, including myself, to think and sometimes re-think (and sometime re-re-think) about Who Jesus is and what place we really provide for Him in our lives (as in, do we recognize that it is HE Who has provided us with life and all things in it). She has been a faithful witness to the Catholic Faith and its teachings. Oh yeh, another good convert example.

Now, Lisa and her children are in need of dire prayer and assistance. How dire? Well, they need to find affordable housing as soon as possible.

And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ - Matthew 25:40

You can donate directly to Lisa by clicking on this link and clicking on donate on the left-side of the page (half-way down) - just takes a minute.

NOTE: If her site is down, you can donate on paypal using her e-mail address GoCatholic@gmail.com



And thanks to Sofia Guerra (Always Catholic Blog) for bringing this to light.

+++

Lent: Where's the Beef?

When I was a Junior in high school, Wendy's had a hit television commercial. In it, three ladies receive their burgers from a competitor. The ladies seemingly receive huge burgers. However, when the crowns of the buns are lifted, it is revealed that the patties are so tiny that they are almost undetectable. This prompts one of them to angrily ask "Where's the beef?"

The phrase has been used repeatedly in various formats, so it is more than likely that some have used the phrase having no idea of its origin.

The same may hold true for many who abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent; doing it but not really knowing why.

Last week, I decided to dedicate short posts on Fridays during Lent to briefly examine why we abstain from meat on these particular days. In that first post, I stated

In the simplest sense, abstaining from meat is a very small sacrifice which reminds us of THE sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Abstaining from meat is a form of PENANCE 

The Holy Spirit brings our sins to light, and although this rightly brings conviction, it is the same Spirit, which is the Consoler, Who gives us the Grace which prompts our repentance and aids in our ongoing conversion.

Penance expresses our contrition for our sins and our intention to turn away from sin and our attachment to it. If we are abstaining without ever giving thought as to why we are abstaining, we are completely missing the point.

While abstaining is a reminder to us of the need for penance in our lives, ultimately Jesus calls us to penance which is prompted by, preceded by the interior conversion. Rightly ordered, it is the interior which prompts the exterior.

When the Church says "do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent", unfortunately it is the outward act which receives the attention. However, the Church is giving us this very small and very simple directive, a precept of the Church, to help us to recognize that we are to grow, to mature beyond a small mandate onto deeper expressions which spring from the interior conversion of the heart.
============
Related posts:
What Do You Mean You Don't Eat No Meat During Lent!?
Are you convicted, accused, or left alone?

The Man and the Flies

Once upon a time there was a man who lived alone. He was sad and lonely, wishing there was someone to talk to.

Then, as he was reading his paper one day, a little fly landed on his table. "Hello little fly!" the man said, "I'm glad you landed here. I have much to say, and there is no one to listen to me."

The man found great delight in telling the little fly everything that was on his mind. Soon, the little fly was joined by several other flies, and the man was thrilled to share with a much larger audience the many deep thoughts he had about so many deep topics.

Days passed, and the man began to notice that not all of the flies were paying attention to him. In fact, more and more of them seemed to be flying about, paying no mind to his great intellectual prowess.

The man pulled out his fly-swatter. SWAT!!!!!!!!! "Now," thought the man "they will pay attention now." and he continued to share with them the great knowledge he had always longed to share.

But alas as the man sipped his coffee one morning, he noticed that more and more flies were flying about, not taking time to just sit and listen to his wonderful oratory. So the man began swatting and swatting and swatting.

Then, he had a grand idea! He pulled out his trusty fly spray and sprayed it liberally through the air, completely unconcerned with the possible effects of his actions.

Soon, only the original little fly remained, hobbled, but seemingly still "there" for the man. The man was dizzy, but happy that he could again continue with his contribution to the education of the little fly. But then, the fly finally succumbed to the poisonous spray and fell helplessly from the table and died.

The man was furious that the flies had "made" him teach them a lesson. He wanted to tell someone about the rotten flies, but no one was there to listen; not even a fly. So the man, still dizzy and now suffering from a headache, laid in bed......and died.

Weeks later, after the man's body had been "discovered" and the coroner had performed the necessary exploratory procedures and observations, the medical assistant asked "So doctor, what was the cause of death?" The coroner, said "suicide".

"Suicide?" asked the surprised assistant. "Yes" said the coroner, "apparently this man poisoned himself by drinking coffee laced with fly spray."

The End

Lord, please forgive me for the times that my actions have not matched Your Word, driving others away not only from myself, but most of all from You. Help me in my brokenness to always remain focused on You, that You may always be glorified by what I do and say. May I also find forgiveness from those I may have offended, not for my benefit, but because You desire that all of us find healing and reconciliation through You. Amen.

"That they may be One." - Jesus 

So you don't make the Sign of the Cross?

The very first prayer that my mother taught me was to make the Sign of the Cross, saying as I did so, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".

Now, I have noticed that many Christians do not make the Sign of the Cross, and I'm curious as to why one would be reluctant to do so.

After all, making the Sign of the Cross is an outward sign which tells others "I am a Christian. I am in this world, but I am not of this world. I belong to Jesus. It is by this Sign that I have been grafted on to my Savior  thus making me an adopted child of God."

The Sign of the Cross.......THE Cross

• reminds the Christian that all that we do should be done in God's Name
• is the altar of the New Covenant
• is the tree of death which became the tree of life
• is the means by which Jesus revealed His kingship, and by which God's kingdom is established
• is the instrument of our salvation
• is a reality of our responsibility for the pain which Jesus suffered for us
• is a reminder that we are to take up our own cross daily
• is a reminder that the Cross paves the way to follow Jesus
• is the way that leads to holiness
• and so much more

Isn't it time that we once again remind the world of the great contradiction; the Cross, our true HOPE?

The sign of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross. - Catechism 1235

The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties. - Catechism 2157

+ + +

God has a cape for every CAPE

Have you ever heard anyone making reference to "Chreasters"? You know, the people who come to church only on Christmas and Easter? Perhaps you have used the term yourself? I have, and really, it does not denote anything positive in its typical use. Some Catholics may reach that notch "above" being a Chreaster. They may also come to church on Ash Wednesday and Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday). Would such a Catholic then be a "CAPE"?

It's Them Against Us

I don't know, but I do know that "they" take "our" parking spots, sit in "our" regular seats, cause additional "unnecessary" planning, use the wrong responses (not "ours"), etc.

"And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." - John 12: 32

Siblings of the Prodigal

When I read the parable of the Prodigal Son, it's always comforting to see myself as the returning Prodigal, knowing that my Father is always more than ready and willing to accept me and embrace me, giving me so much more than I deserve. But then, there's that brother of his. He's perfectly content with his life and all that his father has given him, until he sees his father celebrating the return of his wayward, "lost" but now "found" prodigal brother.

Sadly, I remember some of my spiritual "siblings", making remarks or comments that I found hurtful. What those were or who made them is insignificant. However, this Prodigal felt "drawn" back to Jesus despite not being a CAPE or even a Chreaster. Yes, I had really been lost for a very long time, and I'm not sure that I would have allowed myself to be embraced by my Father without some others who were able to cooperate with Him, helping me to feel welcomed and a part of the "family" again. It's true that there was much work to be done in order to mend the broken "family" relationships, but I am thankful for those who helped me to feel welcomed again.

So it especially hurts me when I recognize that I may not have always extended the same welcome to others. Even if I didn't verbalize such unwelcoming thoughts or feelings, the fact that I thought or felt them lends itself to conviction that I did not act or speak in a manner that would make my "siblings" feel welcomed. How sad that I can ever be "that guy", that sibling.

"Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." - Matthew 25: 45

Capes for the CAPES

This post is my reminder to myself, and perhaps to you as well, that God is drawing our "siblings", brothers and sisters to Himself. In order for them to feel welcomed, to begin their own mending, I...we...have to cooperate with our Father. That can begin with recognizing that "they" are part of "us" and "our" spots are "their" spots, and "our" responses in the Liturgy are the responses prescribed for our participation in God's work, thus they are His anyway.

After all, God has a cape for every brother and sister.

cape - part of a garment that fits closely at the neck and hangs over the shoulders;
Like a hug

cape - probably from Spanish capa (cloak), from Late Latin cappa (head covering); 
Like being cloaked (covered) with the Blood of the Lamb or crowned with the Crown of Salvation

cape - a point or extension of land jutting out into water;
Like "HE drew me out of the deep waters" - Psalm 18: 17

All are welcomed

...There is no one, however wicked and guilty, who may not confidently hope for forgiveness, provided his repentance is honest. Christ who died for all men desires that in his Church the gates of forgiveness should always be open to anyone who turns away from sin. - Catechism 982

What Do You Mean You Don't Eat No Meat During Lent!?

My wife loves the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". I think it's okay, but there are a few scenes that I do enjoy.

One of those is that expression of shock by Aunt Voula, "What do you mean he don't eat no meat?" followed by the priceless look on the faces of all those in the room who are now frozen in disbelief.

Sometimes I get that same feeling on Fridays during Lent.

So, let's talk about this on Fridays this Lent; not a big all-encompassing thing. We'll just simply take it one bite at a time.

In the simplest sense, abstaining from meat is a very small sacrifice which reminds us of THE sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Oh, and when we say "meat", it means "fleshy" meat of mammals and poultry. The Latin word "caro", from which we derive the word "meat" means "carnivore" or more exactly "carnivorous" (meat-eater). That's why we do not include fish in this category.

More next Friday. + + +

Papacy: Renunciation, Abdication, Papabile, and More

This morning on Women of Grace (Yeah, yeah, yeah) Johnnette Benkovic interviewed James Noonan. Mr. Noonan is the author of The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church; first published in 1996, but revised this past August.

This was a fascinating and educational interview that I am excited to share with you. Mr. Noonan explains why we are wrong to think or say that Pope Benedict is simply resigning or retiring, discusses the magnitude of this historic moment in Church history, and discusses renunciation, abdication, papabile, and more.

A few possible names are even suggested. Johnnette introduces Mr. Noonan just after the ten minute mark. Well, here's the link to the audio:


Johnnette Benkovic; Women of Grace: February 13, 2013 with James Noonan

Thank you to Johnnette for making the audio available.

You Can Participate in the Conclave

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is resigning the papacy on February 28, 2013. Yep, as in at the end of this month.

I watched and listened to the whirlwind of comments yesterday. Most of those in the secular media were of course dead wrong, over-speculative, and in some cases just disgusting.

But there were many Catholics over-reacting as well. At least that's my opinion.

In short, I believe that Pope Benedict is doing what he has always done; following what he has discerned to be the Will of God in what is best for the Church.

With that said, let us trust that the Holy Spirit will provide the Church with the right man to be the Vicar of Christ on earth at this time.

But don't sit on the sideline. Participate in the conclave! How? Pray. Start praying now. And don't pray for an African pope or an Italian pope or an American pope. Pray for the right pope; not through the lenses of your own experiences and not one that meets your expectations  but one who will be most open to the Will of God by the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Carry on.

Viva la Vida: Tribute to a man I never knew

Viva la Vida (Live Life) is a running series of posts about my life experiences, meant to help me reflect on the "why's?" of who I am becoming through my ongoing conversion. It won't be chronological or all-inclusive, and I'll be careful not to indict anyone else (too much).

"Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice." Although man can forget God or reject him, He never ceases to call every man to seek him, so as to find life and happiness. But this search for God demands of man every effort of intellect, a sound will, "an upright heart", as well as the witness of others who teach him to seek God. - Catechism 30

As I'm sure is the case with most, if not all, the witness of others has greatly influenced my perspective on life. Some of those witnesses will never know that their lives have touched mine. One of those is Carroll Nelson.

I never met Carroll or had the pleasure of really knowing him, but I hope that by sharing this little story of how Carroll gave me a different perspective on just one little thing in life, you will see that we are always witnesses; hopefully for the better.

Background

Most of this post is taken or based on the words of Carroll's wife Liza, Fr. Timothy Heines, and Carroll himself.

The Man

Carroll met Liza when they were sophomores in High School "in Mrs. Frankson’s biology class". Liza says they dated for four years before she "finally convinced Carroll to marrying" her.

Carroll was always an active person. He traveled regularly in his work for Whataburger. It was part of his daily routine. He was also an athlete who played tennis, baseball, and golf. He was a musician who had a beautiful voice, played the guitar, and occasionally the piano. These are all things that Carroll would tell you defined who he was. And of course to his family, he was a loving father (Carroll III, Colin, and Joe) and husband.

A Heart-Breaking Day

Carroll began seeing an Orthopedist after he realized that he wasn't able to run like he used to when playing tennis.  The Orthopedist referred him to a Neurologist. In the course of trying to determine what was causing the weakness in his legs, he underwent many tests.

Eventually, he began to develop foot-drop in his right foot and just before this symptom developed, he found that he was diabetic. The doctors felt that he could have diabetic neuropathy, and so he underwent many more tests which made Carroll feel tired and weakened.

The doctors began to suspect ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Carroll was concerned to tell his boss that the doctors were suspecting he may have ALS, and so he tried to hide his weakening physical condition. But in June of 2004, Carroll had an episode where he fell flat to the ground in the presence of his co-workers, boss, and a few members of upper-management. Carroll had to have a "heart-to-heart" with his boss.

After that conversation, his boss called with contact information for Dr. Stanley Appel at the ALS Clinic in Houston. Dr. Appel had devoted his entire career to the research and treatment of ALS. Dr. Appel and his team ran a battery of tests and examinations of Carroll over a three day period.

At the conclusion of these tests, it was confirmed that Carroll did indeed have ALS. Liza describes that day as "heart-breaking for us all".

Identity

As the disease progressed, he was no longer able to fully express himself or enjoy those things which he had previously found his identity in. He was no longer an athlete, a musician, and all too quickly lost the ability to perform his job. Carroll found himself in a position where he was forced to re-define who he was.

Carroll began experiencing conversion, and sharing with our parish some of his experiences, he said

"I believe that my conversion may not have happened without facing this trial. Previously, I relied on my physical strength and very little on my spiritual strength. Now, I found as my body weakens, my spiritual strength increases many times over. That’s not to say that it isn’t trying at times, but at the darkest time, I know I can lean on God." 

Carroll had begun to find his identity in God.

What Does This Have To Do With Me?

I had witnessed Carroll and his family at Mass in our parish many times. I was always moved by this family, but I could not put my finger on it.

I was a sponsor in our parish RCIA and on retreat in early 2007, when Carroll and Liza came to speak to us. By that time, Carroll's speech was impeded to the point that Liza had to read to us what Carroll wanted us to know. And so I use the words "Carroll said".

"The most basic of human functions, eating, toileting, even resting and most vitally, breathing becomes the challenges of the day. As I lost the ability to do the things that had previously defined me; singing, playing the guitar, athlete, etc, I found new joy in things as simple as a cool breeze on a warm day. Things that previously went unnoticed; I found a new awareness of and greater appreciation for."

And then, it was a very simple thing that Carroll said, but even now as I type brings me to tears.

Carroll told us of how he was dreaming one day. He dreamed about a clear summer day which he described  everything to the last detail; down to the air he was breathing. He was mowing the lawn. And then, he realized that it was a dream. He said that some men from our parish were mowing the lawn and how much he appreciated their help.

But most importantly, he missed being able to mow his lawn.

Guilty! I am not a fan of mowing the lawn. I can whine and complain and procrastinate and grumble, and you get the point.

With simple words, backed by the witness he had already provided (also unknowingly) as I previously observed him and his family, Carroll helped me to at least try to appreciate some of the things I should be more appreciative of; like having the ability to.

Last Words

Carroll passed away in September of 2007. His last words were

“Pray the Rosary!”

Although I never met the man, I went to Carroll's funeral Mass. After all, he had...has contributed to my continuing conversion.

I still don't enjoy cutting the grass. But since that day, every time I start the mower, I think of Carroll, and I appreciate having the ability to mow my lawn.
----------------------------------------------------------
Below is the transcript of the Homily for Carroll's funeral Mass; given by Fr. Timothy Heines. I hope you will read the entire Homily as it gives more insight into the life of Carroll.


In our Catholic faith, there are two words that are very special to us: sacrament and consecrate. In our tradition, we believe that God works in many ways to reveal his presence to us. As en-fleshed beings, body and soul, it is sometimes difficult for us to see and fully experience the presence of a transcendent God. For that reason, God reaches out to us and reveals himself in many different ways. Seemingly earthbound, we sometimes struggle to see heaven.

So in the fullness of time, God so loved the world that he sent his Only Son. His Son spoke words of hope and love, and reconciled us to the Father through the gift of his own body and blood. His message was of a new order, a new creation, a kingdom. He spoke in parables that allowed us to begin, despite our mental feebleness, to begin to understand something that transcends human experience. He also worked miracles, so that despite our physical feebleness, we might through signs and wonder begin to experience something of the promise that awaits us as his Kingdom Comes.

The signs continue in the world through the ministry of His Body, the Church. We have the sacraments: washed in the regeneration of baptism , nourished by that which appears to be bread and wine, anointed in the Spirit through the healing balm of oil. Yet, let those who have eyes, let them see. For the sacraments are not something that one merely receives. When we truly understand the manner by which our God works, and appreciate the transforming power of God’s grace, we should know this: a sacrament is something that one is to become.

When we are imbued with the presence and power of God’s love, which we call grace, we become his instruments. This is why the words “sacrament” and “consecrate” come to mind as we gather to celebrate the life of Carroll Nelson. For as we remember the life of Carroll Nelson, the reality of becoming a sign of something more comes more sharply into focus.

For many of us, Carroll embodied the virtue of Hope. He was a living symbol to us of that key Christian virtue. For the righteous, the key virtue in life may be faith. For the saints, it is obviously love. But for the rest of the poor schmucks in this world—the vast majority of us, the virtue which guides and shapes our choices, our attitudes, our perspectives, our lives, is the virtue of hope.

In common usage, hope refers to some kind of wishful thinking. In the Bible, it is something much more positive. It is shaped by an expectation of the future, a trust in the promises of God, a way of living in the midst of trial, and a way of letting go of ego in light of surrender to the providence and power of God. 

Carroll was a character—a joker, a singer, a man who enjoyed friends and food and fun. And as his disease progressed, the irrepressible spirit of the man was slowly being trapped in a body which could not express or enjoy the fullness of life’s own promises.

Yet we gather here to celebrate because Carroll did not surrender to that imprisonment. Instead, by embodying that kind of hope, he, in many ways transcended the prison of his own body and revealed to us a freedom that many of the most healthy, strong, and physically vibrant among us will never know.

He lived a hope in a world to come that enabled him to love in times of despair and to have faith in times of darkness. The paradox of his final days, while barely to communicate in the conventional sense, was that he said a great deal, loudly and clearly. He showed us that true freedom is not merely the accumulation of choices or the exercise of power for oneself, but comes with a trust in the will of God. The paralysis of the body was caused by Lou Gehrig’s disease. But the paralysis of the soul is caused by selfishness and bitterness. When one lives for oneself, one will always be wanting more and will never be satisfied. When one lives for Christ, he finds himself giving…

Until the very end, we saw Carroll give in that manner. There is a story about his last night. There was a wonderful young woman who used to come to the house and help the Nelson family out. On the last night of his life, before she prepared to leave, Carroll struggled to communicate with her. He mouthed the word “food.” He wanted to make sure that she took some food home for her family. He was aware that he was dying. He was struggling to breathe. He was afraid. But he thought of others. Indeed, his last word of advice to everyone was “Pray the Rosary!”

Indeed, he became for many of us a sacrament, a sign of hope. And I mentioned the word “consecrate.” The word “consecrate” literally means, to set something apart for a special purpose. Carroll, through his conversion experience and his deepening spiritual life, (which I can attest to as his confessor), allowed himself, in the midst of weakness, to be set apart to remind all of us of what is truly important. In the preface for the feast days of martyrs, there is a line which comes to mind. Addressed to God, the prayer says, “You choose the weak and make them strong in bearing witness to you.” This is taken from the first letter to the Corinthians which states:

Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

Towards the end, this certainly could be the epitaph of Carroll Nelson. And so this begs the question then, how do we respond? Because here’s the deal, when we encounter a sign of God, it calls a response forth from us.

God works through human beings so that we may not only see him in a new way, but may respond to one another in a different way. We do damage to Carroll’s memory and we dishonor the God who graced him, if having him in our lives for some amount of time, we do not listen to the lessons of his life. Can we live with hope and give hope to one another? Can we shun bitterness? Can we accept the will of God being content only with the freedom of being able to love and give? Can we trust?

Carroll also had one other message which speaks more to Liza than to him, I think. He said that he wanted everyone to hear the words of scripture: “Husbands love your wives. Wives love your husbands.” It is perfectly ok to grieve right now, but we do so with hope. As Queen Elizabeth said on the occasion of 9/11: Grief is the price we pay for love. It is appropriate and as Jesus reminds us: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

And let us remember the Resurrection of the Body…

And so let us joyfully pray together our Eucharistic prayer—the hopeful banquet that anticipates the one in the Kingdom to Come. It will be a banquet where Carroll will be freed from all infirmity and surrounded by his loved ones will celebrate the fulfillment of the promise that gave him hope. And what was that promise? 

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."