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Sr Sophia Vesecky OP |
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Funeral Reflection ~ March 7, 2008 ~ Rev Charles J Mazouch The Beatitudes that we just read in the Gospel list the qualities Christ wishes to see in his followers, qualities which were exemplified in his own life. A mere glace at them show that they are a complete reversal of conventional standards and values. The world says, “Blessed are the rich, for they can have anything they want.” But Christ says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” By poor in spirit he means those who put their trust in God rather than in money; those who realize that it is not the amount of money they possess that makes them rich, but the kind of people they are. The world says, “Blessed are those who live it up.” But Christ says, “BLessed are those who mourn.” It is only those who love who are capable of true mourning. To open one’s heart to other people is to share their burdens and sorrows. To open one’s heart is to begin to live. The world says, “Blessed are the tough and the strong.” But Christ says, “Blessed are the gentle.” Gentleness is not a form of weakness, as many think. It is a form of great strength. There are many vital tasks which only gentleness can accomplish. The world says, “Blessed are those who hunger for power, status, and fame.” But Christ says, “Blessed are those who hunger for what is right.” To live rightly is what life is about. Those who rate this as important as eating and drinking will taste real happiness even here. The world says, “Blessed are those who show no mercy and who take no prisoners.” But Christ says, “Blessed are the merciful.” Happy are those who make allowance for the sins of others, and whose greatness lies in their ability to forgive. They will receive God’s mercy for their own sins. The world says, “Happy are those who have clean fingernails, clean teeth, and clean skins.” But Christ says, “Blessed are those who have clean hearts.” It is from the heart that all our thoughts, words, and deeds flow. If the heart is clean, then all that flows from it will be clean – like water flowing from an unpolluted spring. The world says, “Blessed are the troublemakers and warmongers.” But Christ says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Happy those who spread understanding among people, those who welcome the stranger, and who work for a more just society. They are true children of God. The world says, “Blessed are those who cheat and who get away with it.” But Christ says, “Blessed are those who take a stand for what is right.” If they suffer for their stand, the wounds they bear will be honorable wounds. Sister Sophia quietly worked her way through life; for fifty years she quietly worked through her domestic duties in the hospitals and missions. It was in her work and dedication that she brought forth these beatitudes of our Lord. Her quiet, faithful life to the sisterhood was an example to all of us, as you all know. The Beatitudes are the badges of a disciple of Christ. They make us rich in the sight of God. They open our minds and hearts to a new way of seeing and judging. They give us a whole new set of bearings. A person who lives according to the Beatitudes is already living in the Kingdom of Heaven. Eternal life will merely 9be the full blossoming of a plant that is green with life. |
