The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long. (Psalm 23, NRSV)
Psalm 23 has brought comfort to centuries of Jews and Christians with its assurance of the constancy of God’s presence and faithfulness, especially in times of trial. For Christians, it reminds us of the unfailing love of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, in every circumstance of our lives. This psalm has been a healing balm to many broken hearts, particularly at the time of a loved one’s death.
I recently watched a video of my father’s funeral Mass that had been recorded in July of 2018 at Christ the King Church in Mashpee. In listening to Kelly’s soaring voice sing the refrain, “Shepherd me, o God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life,” healing tears flowed and once again Psalm 23 became for me an embrace from Jesus himself. I was so comforted by the large impromptu choir made up of parishioners from Wellesley and Wayland. Their music filled the church like the angel choirs. I will forever be grateful to the many parishioners who made the trip to Mashpee for the wake and funeral and the many more who supported me with their prayers. God is so very present in the Communion of Saints.
My Aunt Helen died this morning. My father’s sister, she was the last one remaining of the nine siblings. She died at Bethany, the retirement home of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in Framingham. She had served in many different ministries in her 75 years as a professed religious sister. But, as with everyone who dies during this pandemic, there will be no funeral Mass for Sister Helen, at least for now. For our family and for countless families in our parishes and throughout the world, the inability at the time of a loved one’s death to be with friends and family, to celebrate the Eucharist together, to sing, to embrace, to cry….together…is a huge loss. But in this and the many losses people experience in these days, we turn, as always, to Jesus, our Good Shepherd. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” Jesus, help us in our time of need to open our hearts to you, ever present and ever faithful.
While we cannot physically be together during this time, the reality of the Communion of Saints has never felt as real or as comforting. My heart is lightened as I think of the nine Laughlin siblings enjoying their heavenly reunion. I feel close to them. And I feel close to you as we hold each other in thought, prayer and love.
Yours in Christ Jesus, our Risen Lord,
Fr. Jim