Talk Story
“La Paz este con ustedes! Peace be with you!”
These were the first words in a letter Bishop Larry Silva wrote to the family of the late Aracely del Carmen Urruela, Clara Isabel and John “Junior” — the mother and two children recently murdered in Puna. The words also opened the Mass of the Resurrection at Malia Puka O Kalani Church in Keaukaha, where hundreds gathered around the open casket bearing a mother embracing her two children.
Bishop Silva’s letter continued, “These are the words Jesus first uttered when he met with his disciples after his resurrection from this tragic, cruel and violent death. ‘Peace be with you! These are the words I say to you on behalf of the people of the Diocese of Honolulu as you lament the tragic, cruel and violent deaths of your beloved Aracely Del Carmen, John and Clara. I pray that in the midst of such profound suffering as you must have experienced, you will take hope in the promise of the Lord Jesus and his victory over sin and death. May this hope in Him bring you a peace the world cannot give, a peace no one can take from you.”
The bishop’s words were followed by the first reading, a brief, beautiful passage from the prophet Micah: “All that is required to lead a good life is to be fair while doing justice, love tenderly with compassion and walk humbly with God.”
Friends told stories of how Aracely was always doing things for others. Her co-workers and the families of the homes she cleaned spoke of how her generosity touched their lives. Teachers and students from the schools Clara attended shared how creative and caring she was, giving classmates her slippers when they had none. Members of churches where they worshiped spoke of how the family’s humble presence was inspiring. A young boy spoke about Junior who, despite his disability, reached out to help children smaller than him. The walls of the parish hall were covered with photos, images and letters from children grieving their lost friends.
The morning’s Gospel repeated Jesus words, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me shall not die, but live forever. Do you believe this?” The homily responded, “If we do believe this, we can understand what St. John Chrysostom said, ‘They whom we love and lose, are no longer where they were before, they are now wherever we are.’”
“Indeed Aracely, Clara and John continue to be present where we are, but they need our hands to hold, our tears to cry, our arms to embrace. They will continue to be with us always through the sharing of our love. Our belief in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, helps us recognize how Aracely, John and Clara live on through the way we strive to be fair while doing justice, be compassionate while loving tenderly, and always striving to walk humbly with our God, building a better society where peace is possible for all and violence is prevented by all.”
This belief in the Resurrection’s victory over death was repeated at the donated gravesite overlooking the ocean. There the priest’s parting words spoke of how the trinity of Aracely, Clara and John now rested forever in the embrace of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then as the mourners went their separate ways, a light refreshing rain blessed them all. Peace be with you! Gracias a Dios!
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
