It was providential that the funeral Mass for Pope Francis occurred on Divine Mercy Sunday, according to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
“We know that mercy was a constant theme for Pope Francis as conveyed often in his homilies, writings and most especially by his example,” said Bishop Burbidge, who celebrated the Mass of Thanksgiving for the Life of Pope Francis at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington April 26. “We truly honor Pope Francis if we promise anew to heed his message and accept his challenge.”
As news coverage of the pope’s death dominated international headlines, Bishop Burbidge said that the pope would likely have been caught off guard by such attention. “He saw himself merely as the Lord’s servant, ever aware of the need for God’s mercy,” he said. “I believe the only way he would be comfortable with this type of attention would be if it helped to bring others closer to the Lord.”
Bishop Burbidge stressed that the death of the pope requires a call to action. “We must continue to pray for him but there is more to do,” he said. “We must honor him by doing our part to lead others to closer the Lord and his church. That is the greatest tribute we can offer to our Holy Father.”
Mourners should respond to the death of Pope Francis by showing and receiving the Lord’s mercy, said the bishop. “We will honor Pope Francis if we never tire of asking the Lord for his mercy so we may be reconciled with him and know the peace he longs to share with us. So, on this day and with renewed faith, we echo the words given to St. Faustina: ‘Jesus, I trust in you.’ ”
Bishop Burbidge urged worshippers to be “recipients of mercy, instruments of mercy and witnesses of hope,” he said. “And it is in this hope that we entrust our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, to the Lord’s infinite love and divine mercy and pray for his eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven. Pope Francis: We love you. We will miss you. We will pray for you always. May you rest in the peace of the Lord.”
