Over at Deacon Tony’s Place, the good deacon has posted a beautiful reflection on love and loss:

Ann ministered more to me than I ever expected.

She led a long life and was married to her husband Jerry for over 63 years.

Ann was a religious person, and before she passed to eternity, she repeated a prayer that we all say to often.

The following is an excerpt of my homily that I would like to share with you.

“Ann prayed the Our Father repeatedly with her family by her side. This prayer embodies all that we believe as Catholic Christians. It is a prayer that echoes how we should live our lives each and every day.

When she said, Our Father, who art in heaven in her hour of need, she recognized who her father and creator was. She praised his holy name, she opened her arms to Jesus and was ready to enter the kingdom if now was the time.

Like her Lord who suffered in the Garden before his crucifixion, she prayed not for her will, but God’s will be done. Although we did not want her to go now, she knew that it was the Lord’s time that really mattered.

Throughout her life, she asked for her daily bread. As a faithful Christian, not only was she given physical food for sustenance but she was also sustained by the Bread the Lord gives, His word and own His body and blood.

She asked for forgiveness for her faults and failings as she had given forgiveness to others throughout her life. As her final moment approached, She asked not to be led by the evil one, but wanted to go home only to God.”

This coming Sunday, we will hear the gospel from Luke, in which the disciples ask Jesus “Teach us how to pray,” and he responds by giving them, and us, the very prayer that Ann prayed.

Deacon Tony’s reflection is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful prayer is a life well-lived.