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Article_Eternal life is the gift that the Eucharist brings

Homilies | Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Eternal life is the gift that the Eucharist brings

Homily by Archbishop Wenski at funeral Mass for Father Ernesto Molano

Homily by Archbishop Thomas Wenski at the funeral Mass for Father Ernesto Molano. Dec. 17, 2014.

Today, we gather to commend to the Lord the soul of a brother priest, Father Ernesto Molano, who faithfully served the People of God as a priest for 58 years, first in his native Colombia and then here in the Archdiocese of Miami since 1971. He was one of 22 siblings – to all his relatives, both those who are here today and those back home in Colombia, we extend our deepest sympathies on the loss of your brother and uncle.

Father Molano was also a brother to these priests who gather here to concelebrate this Mass of Christian burial. Our priesthood is a special bond that unites us all to Father Molano; it is a priestly bond of solidarity and communion, and it is expressed in a powerful way through this celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This special bond is “stronger than death” – for we were ordained like Melchisedek of old, priests forever.

And as priests we know our own human frailty, and so we are not shy in asking for prayers for Ernesto– and when we die, we beg your prayers for us, confident that the love of Jesus Christ who gave us the gift of the priesthood is stronger than death itself.

Hoy al dar sepultura cristiana a los restos del Padre Molano, recordamos que fue sacerdote fiel, sacerdote sacrificado; y, damos gracias a Dios por todo lo que el Padre Molano hizo y por todo lo que él fue para nosotros.  Recordamos con mucha gratitud sus años en el Tribunal Matrimonial de la arquidiócesis y los años que el pasó aquí en Santa Rosa de Lima.

Father Molano worked for thirty years in our Metropolitan Tribunal – and this work – while seemingly behind the scenes and not much in the public eye – is vitally important because the Tribunal is the Church’s court of law. And, because the law of the Church is the love of God and neighbor, the work of the tribunal is an important part of the Church’s ministry of reconciliation.

Father Molano was a conscientious collaborator with several judicial vicars over the years and a valued assistant here at St. Rose – and he was also a good friend to St. Rose’s long time pastor, Msgr. Seamus Doyle, who joins us in praying for Ernesto from Ireland where he is spending Christmas.

In the Eucharist, Father Molano proclaimed Christ’s promises; he accepted and believed the words of Jesus – that eternal life is the gift that the Eucharist brings.

Jesus said: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

The Christ whom he adored hidden in the host he was privileged to hold in his hands during Mass, he now contemplates face to face.

Dale, Señor, el descanso eterno y brilla para él la luz perpetua. Que su alma y las de todos los difuntos, por la misericordia de Dios, descansa en paz. 

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