REAL NOURISHNMENT OF LONG LIFE Homily of the Mass of Christian burial of Sister Mary Yuan, RSCJ 2013/6/22,1:30 pm Pius Liu, OFM In the Gospel of (Lk. 10, v 38-42) we just heard moments ago, we observed that Martha was painstakingly cooking her finest table delicacies to treat Jesus; Mary rather like the Chinese idiom: 聽君一席話，勝讀十年書，”Listening to just one talk of yours is far better than schooling for ten years”, so “seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to His words.” Jesus caught the wonderful opportunity proclaiming that actually He is the most healthy, nutritious and long life like the ancient Chinese proverb: “山珍海味” “finest table delicacies of the mountain and tastiest food of the sea” – real nourishment of long life. St. Matthew in his Gospel recorded that Jesus in the desert, after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, was hungry. The tempter approached and said to Him, “If you are Son of God, command these stones to turn into bread.” Jesus replied, “Scripture has it: ‘Not on bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God.”(Mt 4, v. 1-4). St. John in the 6th Chapter of his Gospel narrated in detail that Jesus emphasized that He is the Bread of our life; “For my flesh is real food and my blood real drink. The man feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the Father who has life sent me and I have life because of the Father, so the man who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and died nonetheless, the man who feeds on this bread shall live forever.”(Jn. 6, v 55-58) Eucharist , Agape, Food of the Angels, 愛的 “山珍海味”-“finest table delicacies of the mountain and tastiest food of the sea” of love - real nourishment of long life; awaiting all the time, no cost and no pay; containing all kinds of flavors to each one’s taste - enlightening the mind, soothing the heart, uniting all members of the body, the Church and all mankind! Mary discovered this heavenly Food savoring It’s tastiest flavor. Therefore Jesus said to Martha: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.” Sister Mary Yuan, in her daily religious life, imitating Mary, besides community prayer, she was also engaged in personal prayers savoring the flavor of the Food of the Angels. She likewise followed the good example of Martha, offered her motherly, tender and loving service to the boarders. In her later years she prepared the altar table and assisted me at Mass. I have been coming to say Mass for the Sisters for 42 years. Sister Mary had always a happy, welcoming and friendly smile with peaceful and cheerful composure whenever I saw her. No doubt, the secrecy of the wonder is that she was nourished daily by the愛的 “山珍海味”-“finest table delicacies of the mountain and tastiest food of the sea” of love - real nourishment of long life! 2013/5/27 While her Sisters and 4 of the Little Sisters of the Poor saying prayers assisting the dying, Sister Mary dozed peacefully into the bosom of Abraham at 3:55pm only over one hour before the 5:30pm Community Mass which therefore was offered for the repose of her soul timely! 2013/5/28 The 7:30am Community Mass was offered again in loving memory of Sister Mary Yuan. The Gospel (Mk 10, v 28-31) of that weekday Mass is about the firm assurance of Jesus that anyone who for Him or the Gospel leaves parents, home etc. would receive hundred times, another inspiring coincidence! Sister Mary Yuan’s Chinese name: 美,玉 “beauty & jade” very closely describes her life: her loving service is beautiful, her prayer life is precious. Dear Little Sisters of the Poor, your loving service to Sr. Mary Yuan and the elders is so beautiful and your religious prayers are most precious, thank you very much!
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 01:32:29 +0000
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