Beastly Things

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, dear friends and companions: we are here today to say goodbye to our brother Andrea, who to many of us was far more than a friend. He was healer and helper, someone who comforted us when we were worried about our friends and who dedicated himself with love and devotion to taking care of them, and of us, for he knew that we are all children of the same God, who delights to see the love we bring to one another. He cured us all, he healed us all, and he helped us all, and in those instances when his powers could not heal our friends, it was Andrea who advised us when it was time to help our friends make their last journey, and who always stayed with us so that neither we, nor they, would be alone when they started on their way along that road. Just as he helped us bear the unhappiness of their parting from us, let us hope that our friends will help us bear the unhappiness of his parting from us.’

He tuned back into the voice of the priest, who was now saying, ‘. . . examples of the love and wit of God, to give us these beautiful companions and enrich our lives with their love. We are enriched, as well, by the love we give to them, for to be able to love them is to be given a great gift, just as the love they have for us is a gift that comes ultimately from God, source of all love.