Funeral Homily ~ February 8, 2007 ~ Rev. Reginald Urban
Having heard about Sister Isabel disconnecting the radio for another priest, I hope that she doesn't do something to the microphone system while I am speaking!
Along with a sense of humor and the ability to laugh and cry all at the same time, it seems that one of Sister Isabel's greatest lessons for all of us is how to keep life simple. What a struggle that is! The Amish seem to have a natural ability to stay simple, although even their way of life was recently complicated by the tragedy in Pennsylvania.
I am not sure if some of you or Sister Isabel picked the Gospel for her funeral, but it is surely a call to simplicity in our primary vocation of being a loving person. I already shared with some of you about the person who was asked to sum up the teachings of the Bible in one simple gesture while standing on one foot. I think it was in one of my first homilies here when I was a chaplain. The person stood on one foot and said, "Love God and your neighbor as yourself."
If we are listening, there are all sorts of reminders about keeping life simple. Sister Isabel must've been able to listen to those reminders, in nature, in baking bread, in doing hair, in playing cards, in being a sacristan and babysitter, and even in being an umpire who was willing to be knocked out for the sake of the game!
Coincidentally along with honoring her today, we also honor St. Josephine Bakhita. She was born in Sudan in 1869 and was brought as a slave to Italy. Like Isabel she led a simple life as a cook, seamstress and doorkeeper. Her gentleness and compassion endeared her to all who called her "our black Mother." She was just canonized in 2000. Isabel may never be canonized, but she is a close-up example for all of us of how to "keep the main thing the main thing."
I was moved at the Vigil last night as I heard you sisters share about Sister Isabel. From having visited her in the infirmary I was already impressed with her. Your sharing confirmed my thoughts. I was also impressed with how your Community has been a place for her to grow in holiness, and how she helped you to grow in holiness and charity. You, along with her sister sisters, were her blood and spirit family. Surely this is what St. Dominic had in mind for those of you who walk in his footsteps.
Finally, before Isabel turns off the microphone system, you shared that she liked to play the harmonica. I can't play the harmonica like it should be played, but I did bring my dad's harmonica along. It seems that any way you play it is right. Maybe that's another lesson that Sister Isabel is teaching all of us- no matter how you play life, there is harmony. Here's a sample. [Here Fr. Reggie played a simple, moving tune on his dad's harmonica.]
