8/3/2011 – Homily for the funeral mass of Lamar Selby – Matthew 11:25-30, Philippians 4:4-13

(These are the symbols of our Catholic faith that we place on Lamar's casket at the funeral.  First, the book of the Gospels to represent his fidelity to the word of God.  Next, a rosary handmade by Debbie Turk of St Richard parish in Jackson, representing Lamar's devotion to our Blessed Mother.  Finally, the crucifix, to represent the way Lamar united his sufferings with the sufferings that Christ endured.) 

“I can do all things through the Lord who strengthens me.”  Our reading from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians ends with this very positive acclamation.  As we were discussing what readings we would use for today’s funeral liturgy, Flo showed me an index card that Lamar had made when he gave a talk to candidates and catechumens at our parish who were preparing for entry into our Church several years ago, when Lamar spoke to them about his own journey in becoming Catholic. Lamar had this phrase from St Paul printed on these index cards that he handed out to them.  When Paul originally wrote this verse he was in prison and was going through a period of great struggle, yet Paul was still able to say that he could do all things in the Lord who strengthened him. Lamar was able to relate to this verse in the midst of his battle with cancer.  It was through Lamar’s faith that he found the strength and courage to endure. By his computer at home, Lamar also had a little plaque that said: “Live by faith one day at a time.” Lamar made it through the ups and downs of his illness and his cancer treatment by taking one day at a time, by living by faith, by placing his trust in the Lord.

Lamar’s family and friends will remember him for being so gentle and humble, yet so strong at the same time.  I always enjoyed going out to Patterson Road to visit Lamar and Flo, to see the beautiful garden & the hummingbirds & all of the nature that surrounded them that they loved so much.  I know that Lamar really saw God in all of creation, in the beauty of the nature that surrounds us here in Yazoo County.  During these past 5 ½ years in which he battled his illness, Lamar used this time to reflect upon a lot of things in his life, to write down his remembrances & reflections in a series of books that really touched a lot of lives. Many of the remembrances pertained to the community of Phoenix where he grew up in rural Yazoo County.  Phoenix, Mississippi that is, not Phoenix, Arizona.  Through all of this, Lamar never had a fear of death, he didn’t try to control God’s will for him, but he used this time in seeing God in the reality around him, in seeing each day as a special gift from God. 

The reading we heard from the prophet Isaiah today talks about a feast that God is preparing for us in his kingdom – a feast of rich foods & choice wines that God will prepare for us.  This is so in the spirit of the way Lamar viewed God, in the way he lived out his faith - a God of love and mercy and goodness, a God of hospitality and generosity.  This same reading from Isaiah also tells us that God will wipe away the tears from our faces; God will meet us in our reality and will help us through that reality.  Though we mourn today, we also celebrate Lamar’s life.  We take comfort at the peace Lamar was at as he entered into eternal life with our Lord, a peace at the end of a long struggle.  Jesus tells us: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, & I will give you rest.”  Yes, Lamar, your dignity and strength and graciousness in all you had to endure – all of that was an inspiration and a true witness of faith.  And now you are at rest in the Lord.