Wilbur Hitchcock Funeral Homily

A tree is a very interesting object because it can reveal a lot about itself. If we were to chop one down and take a glance at its rings we would be told a lot concerning its story. We would be able to count each individual ring and come know its age. In studying these rings we can begin to understand the history that lies behind this tree because we come to know many facts about what was taking place within the world. The spacing of the rings for example can tell about rainy seasons or the lack thereof that were taking place in that particular year. Our lives and how we lived them reveal a lot about ourselves. Today this funeral Mass is offered for Wilbur Joseph Hitchcock. For those here who were blessed to know this man we know that he lived for many years and experienced a lot during his lifetime. To pick up the wonderfully written obituary and read it we would know that this man's years upon this earth offered a lot to the countless amount of people who were blessed to know this man and hear his laugh.

On this day we are forced to feel a sense of loss. I especially join with the family in my greatest sympathy. To his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and the rest of his family we join our prayers with you during your time of need. To all here who worked, worshiped, and laughed with him I join with you in your day of loss. Like that tree that continuously reveals itself through its rings we know that Wilbur would continuously reveal himself through his many stories and love for knowledge. In the 89 years that he was blessed by God to live he experienced the many things that would take place within the history of the world and would even have the opportunity to serve in the Marines during World War II. In the days that lie ahead their will be a lot of time for family and friends to come together and reveal the many stories that made up this man's life. At this moment we come together on his behalf and pray for the repose of his soul as he makes his final journey towards his Heavenly reward.

It is through the wood of the cross that a lot is revealed concerning death and our path towards salvation. The cross was the instrument through which Christ bowed His head and breathed His final breath. It was upon the wood of this tree that the sins of the world were gathered together and a Sacrifice was given towards God out of love. All the sins of the world were gathered upon the wood of the cross and from it shun the light of salvation that was presented to all who glanced upon its wooden beams. At the moment of Christ's death the veil inside of the temple was torn into two pieces and people could finally hope to come into contact with the divine. It was the veil of the temple that symbolized humanity's separation from God, but now that had been ripped apart we can finally hope to come into relationship with Him. Our journey of life continuously reminds us of how fleeting our lives truly are, but upon the wood of the cross hope is given that death is not the end.

It was three days following Christ's death upon the cross that Christ conquered death through His Resurrection. It is from the Resurrection of the Body that hope is given to each of us who are here today. This funeral Mass is filled with many symbols of hope which take our hearts and minds to the reality of drawing ourselves closer to God and His Heavenly plan for us. This funeral is filled many symbols which draw our minds towards baptism. This white garment upon the casket reminds us of the purity of the Sacrament, the water sprinkled upon the casket remind us of the waters that cleansed his soul, and the white candle placed before the casket connects us with the Resurrected Christ of Easter Sunday. At this Mass we use the symbol of incense which symbolizes all our prayers being gathered together and rising towards Christ in Heaven. This day we pray that our prayers will rise up to God like burning incense bringing before him all of our sadness and asking for the comfort that we desire. We also pray for Wilbur and his soul that he may one day achieve his Heavenly reward as he continues to draw himself closer to the Lord who is his shepherd. May we continue to draw ourselves to the wood of the cross and all that it reveals to us in our journey of life.