Francis Cardinal George
Posted on 04/24/2015 6:21:36 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
Following is Archbishop J. Peter Sartain of Seattle’s homily for the funeral Mass of Cardinal Francis George, on April 23, 2015.
As a pastor in Memphis 20-something years ago, one day I picked up a national Catholic publication and read a talk by the bishop of Yakima, Francis George. I cannot recall the topic, but I do recall my reaction. Here was a clear voice, a voice I wanted to listen to, a pastor who helped me understand the faith and taught me how to teach it. From that point on, whenever I noticed Bishop George’s name associated with a talk or an article, I read it. I was never disappointed.
Years later, a bishop myself, I heard the voice speak in person, and I found the same clarity, the same creativity, the same natural interplay of faith and reason, the same challenge to discipleship I had perceived in his written word. And I noticed something else: Cardinal George spoke not only from prepared texts, but also frequently off the cuff, spontaneously from the heart, in an understated, almost under his breath, manner. And I learned that such “afterthoughts” were just as insightful as his written texts. They welled up from within, unrehearsed, and gave a glimpse of the fullness that was his interior life. In a certain sense, he couldn’t not put these afterthoughts to words (although perhaps he wished, from time to time, that he hadn’t!), because they were so much a part of him, from the tips of his toes to the top of his head. They literally rolled off his lips, because as the Lord had said, “From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45).
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
God rest his soul.
Many thanks for posting this. The insightful homily by Archbishop Sartain, and the memorable quotes of Cardinal George are are worth committing to memory.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.