Hello Dear TSJ Friends,
Have you ever thought of applause as being a big “Yes?” That is one thing that Solomon, SJ, and Sigmund agree on wholeheartedly. Applause is a way of saying a big yes. I had not thought of it that way until last Saturday.
On Saturday morning I went with Mr. John (as “The Boys” call him) to attend a funeral mass for one of his neighbors. I admit I debated the question- “To go or not to go?”
You see, I did not know this neighbor nor his family, so I pondered about the appropriateness of attending.
Mr. Wisdom (Solomon) encouraged me to think about the value of attending, to dig deep in my own heart and soul and listen.
I remembered . . .
~A funeral mass is a public recognition of both death and life itself- even though it is a private experience for the family.
~It points to how fleeting time is here on earth as we journey toward our ultimate Home. Always good to remember.
~ It offers an opportunity to reflect on what really matters.
And John really matters to me, so I went. I am very glad I did.
So Solomon knew we should be together at the memorial mass.
It was held in a large cathedral designed to lift the soul heavenward by its very architecture. Hundreds of people were there. All of us were there because a man named Joe – after a long tough life and death battle – made that great transformation from physical body to spiritual body. He transitioned from his earthly home to heavenly Home.
Out of this decision came two emotionally compelling experiences I wish to share.
- The Shepherd ~
First, the twenty- third Psalm was song beautifully. Of course it brought up the theme of being shepherded. No wonder Solomon wanted me to go! It reawakened my passion for shepherding and being shepherded – both expressions of divine Love.
I admit though, at times I have wondered if I should keep the sheep/shepherd theme going as I am keenly aware that in our culture and in current times, metaphors and analogies about sheep and shepherds don’t really “grab us” much of the time. Images and writings are poetic and romanticized. We are unaware of the nitty gritty aspects of shepherding. And we do not see how we are like sheep. In biblical times people knew about its challenges. But for today’s peeps, it is often hard to relate.
At the service, the twenty-third Psalm was sung in a responsive style. The congregation sang these words responsively to the soloist’s singing of : “The Lord is My Shepherd:”
Our refrain: “Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants- beyond my fears – from death into life.”
Wow. I wondered, what would it be like to be guided and cared for (shepherded) beyond my wants and my fears? It would indeed create a transformed me (or you) and it would take us from “death” . . . (call it inertia, lack of confidence and courage, mental spinning, worry etc.) . . . into living. Really living.
Think about it. Our insatiable wants and habitual fears drive us away from God and life. Last Saturday it really seeped into my soul that our loved ones have passed beyond their wants and fears. Now that would be peace and joy, right there. Again, wow.
2. The Applause ~
Joe’s son spoke last and briefly. Apparently his dad modestly requested not to be extolled. So he kept it brief and poignant.
Then he simply invited us all to give his father a round of applause.
The applause was loud and long. It was moving. It echoed in the cathedral. It lifted the soul. It felt right. It was communal and celebratory.
I listened carefully and thought just maybe I heard applause from the other side too.
Applause – a very big yes to life here and beyond.
“Shepherd [us] O God beyond [our] wants, beyond [our] fears – from death into life” – now and forever. Feel the peace. In this very moment.
Then, let’s clap our hands with joy for each other and ourselves. The pastures will echo the sound and awaken life around us. All peeps will know they are loved when we love out loud.