Liturgy for the 2024 Deceased Jubilarians
Preaching by Sister Joan Delaplane, OP

 

Friday, June 21, 2024
Proverbs 31:10-30
Revelation 14:13
Matthew 11:25-30

The Book of Proverbs asks: "A valiant woman, who can find her?" We can; in fact, the 80 that we’ve named here were 'valiant women.' Valiant is defined by Thorndike as strong in word or spirit, courageous, brave; and in light of those 80, we would have to add, dedicated, faith-full, hard-working, generous, risk-taking Dominican women, grounded in LOVE.

But the heart of Jubilee today, I believe, is celebration of the faithfulness of our Creator to each Deceased Jubilarian who was lovingly willed into life, cherished and cared for every sacred moment of life. Secondly, we celebrate how, through the gift of the Spirit, they were empowered to give a faith-full response to life and love to their last breath. Each unique life made a difference on Mother Earth and to our Congregation. "The fruit of her toil brings her honor in this place."

I do believe in the Communion of Saints, and that our bond of love is not severed by the thin veil that separates our physical selves. I believe in the power of their intercessory prayer, care and concern for our community, our nation, and our world to this very day.

We are well aware that we have some challenging months ahead. "Have faith," says Mary McGlone, "that when the forces of evil unleash their worst, they ultimately expose themselves impotent against love." We can trust that the Divine Mystery of Love who breathed each of us uniquely into life out of love, for love, to be a tangible incarnation of that love for God’s people and creation, will continue to be with us faithfully as promised. And we have, and need, God’s gift of one another, as well, on the way.

Proverbs tells us that valiant women speak wisely. What words of wisdom would our Sisters in the Communion of Saints wish for us to hear from their present perspective? Would they remind us to hold fast to Jesus’ promise to be with us, as Jesus trusted and held fast to Abba’s embrace of him as Beloved Son in midst of suffering and the unknown?

Would they remind us of God’s word in Isaiah 46: "Listen to me…you who have been borne by me; even to your old age, I am God; even when you turn gray, I will carry you."

We celebrate a faithful God who told us that even if a woman forgot her nursing child or had no compassion for the child of her womb, yet "I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hand." (Is 49:15, 16)

Our deceased Sisters utilized their diverse and wondrous gifts in so many beautiful ways. There were also some very difficult times and circumstances with which life confronted them. At times, it was challenging, I’m sure, to grasp the truth Jesus spoke: "My yoke is easy; my burden light." But love of God and trust in this God’s faithfulness can bring that truth to bear in one’s life.

I believe there is a witness to that in a poem that the brother of one of our Jubilarians received from a priest friend of his. She said I could share it with you today. Father Ray had been in a car accident which severed his spinal cord and left him quadriplegic. He wrote:

To walk I cannot use my feet
My hands I cannot use to eat
But, oh, I have my eyes to see.
Dear God, you are so good to me.

My body's bound with an iron chain,
I am quite cognizant of pain
But I restrain the blinding tear.
And thank you God, that I can hear.

The common life I truly miss
My brother’s company was bliss.
But grace for all I may beseech.
I thank you God, for the gift of speech.

For every need I must depend
Upon the services others lend.
Oh heavy cross, the galling kind,
But, oh, my God, I have my mind.

Daily, hourly, suppressed desire,
To do for others ignite a fire,
That lights my way up Calvary’s hill.
The only solace, 'tis God's will.

What we know to be God’s will is that we be open to the grace to believe in and trust the Divine Promise to be lovingly and compassionately with us always. Yes, reason to celebrate and give thanks!

Thank you, God, for the gift of life of each of our deceased Sisters who shared faith and life with us on our journey. "Let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them," and our memories honor them. Amen!