By Fr. Aro (Arockiaraj Paristham)
On behalf of the two parishes of St. Paul’s and St. John’s, I would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the family members and the friends of Ellen. It is true that it is always difficult to lose someone that we dearly love. She will be remembered in our thoughts, prayers, and Masses. Whenever we gather together as a community of faith to celebrate the Eucharist, we always remember our faithfully departed.
Believing in Jesus’ resurrection is the core of Christian belief. It is the basis of our Christian faith. There would not be Gospels without the resurrection. There would be no Christianity, Church, priesthood, or sacraments without the resurrection. There would be no hope without the resurrection.
We would not have the resurrection without the death of Jesus Christ. We do not have flowers, fruits, or trees unless the seed is sown. The seed has to die in order to start a new plant. Therefore, St. Paul preached not only the resurrection but also the crucifixion of Christ.
St. Paul reminds us that death is not the end; it is only the beginning. Life is not over; it is only changed. In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus told us that He is preparing a place for us in heaven. Death is a doorway to a new life with God. Jesus accepted death and has given us the rewards of eternal life.
Our first reading today talks about the souls of the virtuous. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…, let them find rest from their labors.” This reading calms any fears about death for those who trust in God. What better place could we go after death than into the hands of God? What a beautiful way to describe God’s care for us. Do you remember when we were little, our parents held us in their arms? When we die, God will take us in His arms. We believe that God has taken Ellen into His arms. In today’s Gospel, Jesus comforts Ellen by telling her, “Come to me, you who are labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” We believe that Ellen is taking an eternal rest in the Lord.
Ellen’s family will remember her as a prayerful, quiet, and gentle woman. She was faithful and a regular to the Mass. Ellen was strong in her faith, a devoted Catholic, a very generous person, happy to give and help people who were in need. It is highly appreciated because, as St Paul says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And “God loves the cheerful giver.”
I admired hearing about her ability and hard work which she put into running her ceramics shop for about 25 years. She was fiercely independent, full of love, and would defend her loved ones. She was a lover of nature and always be found in the garden whenever she was free. She always engaged herself in reading thousands of books over the years. She loved to spend time with her family and her house was always alive with laughter and visits. We must be thankful to her, for her service to this country, as a brave veteran in World War II, a special Truck Driver Light 345 from July 10, 1944 until November 18, 1945. Our nation is proud of her selfless military service.
We thank God for Ellen. We are grateful that she was Catholic. Let us place her in the hands of our Blessed Mother. She understands our pain and suffering. May our God grant Ellen eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom. May her soul rest in peace. Amen.
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