Jack Kline Funeral

One of the great privileges of Priesthood is to be present and participate in so many peoples most important moments of their lives. At the beginning of life in baptism, as people enter into their vocation in marriage or help people discern priesthood and religious life, to see their ordinations and profession of vows, to give them their first communion and hear their confessions, and to be with them at their death, helping and preparing them for their final moments in this life. One of the most beautiful prayers of the Church is the prayer of final commendation that priests pray over people as they near death.

I commend you, my dear brother to almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator. May you return to him who formed you from the dust of the earth. May holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May Christ, who was crucified for you, admit you into His garden of paradise. May Christ, the true Shepherd, acknowledge you as one of His flock. May He forgive all your sins and set you among those He has chose. May you see your Redeemer face to face and enjoy the vision of God for ever.

As we go through life, Thomas’ words are at times our own, “master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way.” But we do know the way, the sacraments are the way, the sacraments are the way Christ has left us to follow Him to our Redeemer and it is through them that we are able to come to see our Redeemer face to face. This is how our God has prepared His house for us, through the sacraments.

In this season of lent we refocus our lives away from this constant distractions back onto Christ and live our lives centered around the sacraments He has given to us, so that as we all draw closer each day to hearing those words; “I commend your, dear brother to almighty God, and entrust you to your creator, we may enter into that garden of paradise our Lord has offered to each of us if we follow His way.