Father David Jenuwine: Memorial Day @ Calvary Catholic Cemetery

HOMILY - MONDAY 7TH WEEK OF EASTER

MAY 29, 2017
10:30 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS

“Taps” is a bugle call played at dusk, during certain military ceremonies, as well as when giving military honors at funerals. The particular tune we associate with “Taps” is also known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby” because it came to us in its present form through Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, – an American Civil War general and Medal of Honor recipient – who commanded the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division in the V Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. It was in July of 1862, while at while at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, that Butterfield replaced the previous French bugle call used to signal "lights out” with the current call.

Linguistically, the word “taps” comes from the Dutch word “taptoe” which meant time to close the beer taps, and send the troops home.

Humorous? Perhaps. But for those of us who served in our Nation’s defense, the fondest memories of our fallen comrades most likely come from gatherings at the Enlisted or Officer’s Club, or perhaps a unit or squadron Barbecue.

Indeed, despite the serious business we were about while on active duty, it almost seemed mundane. And perhaps it is somehow wired into our psyches to remember the good times … the fellowship and camaraderie we shared while serving in harm’s way.

Today we commemorate the civic holiday known as “Memorial Day.” Looking through the history, it would seem that there are quite a few locations that claim to be the “first” … the first to honor the fallen; the first to lay flowers on graves; the first parade; the first memorial service.

Knowing how much our own heavenly Father loves us all, and in a Trinitarian spirit of generosity, I would like to solve this conundrum of unnecessary competition by declaring that all of them are first, no matter when or where … just as all of us are beloved of God – whoever you are, you are His favorite.

Originally known as “Decoration Day,” and dating from the time of the United States Civil War, it wasn’t until the 1960s that it became known universally as Memorial Day. And at that time, was moved from its customary day of May 30, to the last Monday in May.

I remember this vividly, as my own dear mother’s birthday is May 31. And she has never let us forget that it used to be the day after Memorial Day. She will be 27 for the 57th time tomorrow, and I thank God that she is still healthy, living with my dad after over 60 years of marriage.

Yet today, we honor the fallen. Who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their country. Many of us have relatives or friends who served. Some who died in that service – whether they be brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, or great-grandfathers – by blood or by fellowship.

Words escape us, despite slogans such as “All gave some, but some gave all,” and “Land of the free, because of the brave.” And while these are good and appropriate, they somehow fall short of the full depth of gratitude we owe those who died to preserve the ideals and freedoms that define us as Americans.

The best theological definition of death is that it is a mystery. An ending to life, no doubt; but the beginning of something seen only as through a mist or a fog. The death of someone who is young and in the prime of life is a tragedy, as we consider a happy long life to be a blessing.

And so, today let us pray for those who have died in war. There are no sides in this, and so we embrace Our Lord’s call to pray for our enemies as well.

Knowing, too, that while we struggle with temporal realities here in this world, in the Gospel we heard today, we know with the certainty of Faith in Christ Jesus that