Five Minute Friday: Bury

 

Five Minute Friday is a weekly link-up hosted by Kate. She provides a word, I set a timer, and write for 5 minutes. No editing, no deep thinking...just spur of the moment, whatever pops in my head writing. This week's prompt: Bury

The Catholic Church has outlined 7 Corporal Works of Mercy, based on Matthew 25: 31-46. One of those Works is to bury the dead. This doesn't mean to physically bury the dead, but to pray for the deceased and visit the grave. Through this Work, we also respect life.

When I went to Knock, Ireland, with my sister-in-law several years ago, we arrived just in time for a Mass...but it was a funeral mass. My SIL nudged me and said, "It's a funeral. Should we be here?" I told her yes, it's what we Catholics do. To me, the funeral mass is one of the most beautiful masses that the Catholic Church offers. It's right up there with Easter Vigil and Midnight Mass. Morbid? Maybe, but the funeral mass is a way to pray for the deceased and the family who is grieving. The actual burial (to me, anyway) is something very private for the family. 

It's not easy to bury your loved ones. My husband was cremated (as I will be); his ashes are in the columarium at the church. My cremains will be placed in the vault with his.

And...that's it. 5 minutes are over just.like.that!