As we look upon the realm of Death, it is the Realm of Life that catches our eyes.

Just returning from the remains of a deacon with whom I was ordained and thinking how we both received the Sacrament of Holy Orders in Pittsburgh, with 24 other men 51 years ago; June 8, 1974. It isn’t just an opportunity of joining many across this nation who accepted the same question to be loyal to the Church and submissive to our Bishop that means the same obedience, it was the very promise to follow Christ and bring many to the altar of the Holy Trinity.

Even with the symbol of a deacon pinned to the lapel of my sport coat most did not recognize this identification as a deacon. When asked how I knew their father and I told them I was ordained with Bob, they were elated. Not because of my orders but the fact that their father shared with others who were blessed with Holy Orders that meant something to them that their father also was chosen to represent Christ who is our Shepherd.

As I stood before the casket and gave a blessing to Bob, my thoughts of how we will be greeted by the Lord on the day an angel comes to guide us home. Death has no great hold on any of us, it is the necessary grace needed to stand ready to take our hands and allow us to view the brilliance of God waiting to say, “Come my child into the realm prepared for you, my good and faithful servant.” Our response might be, “what did I do to deserve all of this?”

Be assured, each of us is the apple of his eye as God does not initiate anything but eternal life for all of his creatures that are made “in our image, after our likeness.” (Gn 1: 26). How supernatural it is when we baptize a baby it is Christ who baptizes and uses our physical attributes to complete this welcoming gesture into His Church.

The element I saw at the funeral home was the absence of too many tears. Bob was well loved as a father, husband, and friend. However deep down in all there was a gesture of peace for one who took upon himself to stand in the place of Christ to welcome even one more soul to the realm of God’s sanctuary, eternal happiness.

One does not need to be ordained to do the same, but the special graces that Holy Orders place within us has so much more than the average parishioner. Of course, each one who is ordained has one significant responsibility; an accountable requirement to say; “I have not buried your gifts but invested them to bring more interest to your graciousness and holiness.

Reading these words from a parable that Jesus intended his disciples to understand this premise of what we are sent to accomplish. Both clergy and the people in the pews have an obligation to reach other people with the best of their abilities as many are waiting for our efforts. (Mt 25: 14 - 39).

Ralph B. Hathaway