My Thoughts Today

(this family friend of ours died on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, May 29, which is why I chose this picture for today, his funeral day)

A good friend of my family died this past week. This man was only 64. He had 9 children, many grandchildren and was a beautiful example of faith. (not because of the children, but the way he lived) His funeral is today. Last night, I went to his wake. Because his family is so big, he's touched so many people in so many different ways. One daughter does daycare and her daycare children called him "Grandpa" because he was her sub. I was in line for 1 1/2 hours just to view him and go through the line of family.

This family's youngest son is my youngest brother's age, 23. Way back when my mom started homeschooling my brother (5th through 10th grade), our 2 families became good friends. My dad and this man got along great, always talking about our faith! They ate out together quite often, and visited weekly.

Well, since my parents have left our faith, they've kind of cut themselves off from everyone who is not a SSPX-er, (I blogged about it here) they will no longer go to an Norvus Ordo Mass (English Mass, or "New Mass" as they call it) so, it is not only sad to think about the loss of this family friend and the loss for his family (although he's in a much better place now) but it is sad to not see my parents there. To know they won't be there today, knowing that they would have been a few years ago. After a million "How are your parents doing?" 's last night, it is heavy on my mind and heart too. One man, half kiddingly called my dad a "heretic". Which is something my dad would have called an SSPX-er a few years ago too.

I think it brings my thoughts to when my dad dies. He has heart issues and well, if that happens before they come back in full communion with Rome, my mom will never come back either. How will things go at either of their funerals? Will their only friends be their new SSPX-er friends? What about all my dad's family who have never been to a Latin Mass? Will they even understand any of it (the situation, that it's not an approved Mass)? Will it be ok for me to go and not receive Communion? All these thoughts and so many more and so much hurt.

The other day, my mom said "Jamie, we still have the same devotions as we've always had." I said "What about Divine Mercy mom?" She said, "We have the Sacred Heart, it's the same thing." I should have said "We have both." But argued a little instead (it's in my nature) "See, you don't have the same devotions and they're not the same thing!"

This man, died on the traditional feast of the Sacred Heart. Is that not proof enough that the Holy Father is right? It is not for them. It is for me.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Amen.

Darn it! Where did my paragraphs go? Really, I had nicely spaced paragraphs....so sorry! This Blogger won't let me do it!