I have not posted in some time...my dearest father was diagnosed with an aggressive, incurable cancer around Memorial Day. He fought the good fight and entered eternal rest on July 1, 2010.
Though the temporal loss of his presence has submerged me in a sorrow that has no words, I take refuge in Christ and Mary knowing with joy that he has entered the beatific vision and eternal life--'where every tear shall be wiped away...'
Holy Scripture, prayer, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church bind us to the Church Triumphant--the Communion of Saints. Thus, this doctrine of faith has given me solace this day:
"The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord ("Dominicus character") "for the day of redemption" (St. Augustine, Ep. 98,5). "Baptism indeed is the seal of eternal life" (St. Irenaeus, Dem ap. 3:SCh 62,32). The faithful Christian who has "kept the seal" until the end, remaining faithful to the demands of his Baptism, will be able to depart this life "marked with the sign of faith," (Roman Missal, EP 1;Roman Canon 97) with his baptismal faith, in expectation of the blessed vision of God--the consummation of faith--and in the hope of resurrection."
--The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1274.
This I believe...
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