More Joy in Heaven…

This week my old friend, Fr Dave, flipped his car on an icy Michigan road. He was killed instantly. Today Craig and I drove up for the funeral, and I was reminded that at almost exactly the same time last year, we were saying goodbye to Fr Ubald.

Both were holy priests in their fifties. In both cases, you could nearly hear heaven resound with “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”

The cathedral was packed, with many more watching livestream. Dozens of his brother priests lined the front pews, surrounding his dear mother and sister and family as his brother, Fr James Hudgins of Arlington, tended to the needs of the moment as only a priest can: reminding the faithful to pray, even as Fr Dave was certainly praying for us.

I knew Dave several years before he entered seminary, and we talked about his decision many times. One conversation in particular stayed with me: The idea that there are two kinds of human love, the kind that goes deep, such as the love of a man and woman in marriage, and the kind that goes wide, like that of a priest for his flock. Watching the crowd, I knew I was witnessing the second kind. So many people sincerely loved him, had been touched by the joy of his service.

Rest In Peace, my friend. Hug Fr Roger and Fr Ubald for me. And don’t forget to pray.