While there have been volumes written about how one can become one with Christ, become closer to God, and even how the soul is perfected in human beings, Jesus tells us how most succinctly in His Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:1-12a) To become one with Christ, we need to become more like Him by following His example;
"Blessed are they who mourn."
Jesus mourned for Jerusalem and for His friend Lazarus.
Blessed are all who will mourn their losses due to terrorism and war, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are workers who have been "downsized," for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those mothers and fathers who mourn the loss of their babies through abortion or neglect, for they shall be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek."
Jesus Himself said He was meek and humble of heart.
Blessed are our dear, fragile elderly who want to show up at Mass whenever they can—but can’t, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are all single moms who do the best for their kids every day, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who are trapped in addictions, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who live with people trapped in addictions, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the scrupulous, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness."
Jesus sought righteousness wherever He went and in every person He met.
Blessed are folks that work three jobs and can't make ends meet, for they shall inherit the land.
Blessed are those who aren't beautiful or successful or rich, for they shall inherit the land.
Blessed are our immigrants—documented or not, persecuted or not—who serve society in menial jobs, for they shall inherit the land.
"Blessed are the merciful."
Jesus showed mercy to everyone, even a condemned man next to Him on the cross.
Blessed are the generous people who offer friendly help to neighbors, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the aid workers in so many countries where famine and starvation run rampant, for they will be shown mercy.
"Blessed are the clean of heart."
Our Lord was without sin.
Blessed are those who frequent the Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are they who reconcile with God and neighbor through prayer and generosity, for they will be shown mercy.
"Blessed are the peacemakers."
Jesus sought peace wherever He went and challenged others that if they were without sin, then they could cast the first stone.
Blessed are firefighters and cops who risk their lives for us each day, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are our military personnel who are tasked with keeping the peace in places most of us have never heard of, for they shall be at peace.
"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness."
Jesus was righteous above all others but was persecuted to the point of being hung on the cross.
Blessed are the bishops, priests, deacons and religious who continue to evangelize, despite the persecution of a secular world, for they shall see God.
Again, like the saints, Bob had some pretty difficult suffering for the last few years of his life, but he bore those sufferings well, uniting his suffering to Christ's Passion as the Gospel exhorts us to.
My earliest memories are times when I wanted to be “just like Bob”. He knew just what to say when I was feeling down or incapable of doing something new to me. I remember he was the brother I turned to when I needed help with my homework because he wouldn’t lose patience with me when I didn’t “get” it right away. He was the one I turned to when I needed advice about something I couldn’t (or didn’t dare) go to Mom and Dad about (even though they found out about it anyway! Thanks, Bob!). He was the “keeper of the Faith” for me. When Mom had to spend some time in the hospital when our younger brother Tom and I were the only ones left in the house, Bob is the brother Dad called to come over and make sure we said our rosary. We didn’t say one rosary that night; we said two. Bob taught us that we needed to say the one Mom wanted us to say first, and the second one was for Mom. I will never forget that.
I also won’t ever forget his and Marilyn’s kindness and brotherly love to Tom and I by including us in a lot of their adventures. They took us to pumpkin patches, the beach, and the trip I remember the best—to Santa’s Village. I remember that trip because of the winding road through clouds to the top of a mountain, the snow when we got there, and Bob and Marilyn explaining how the clouds formed and where snow came from. Hey, I was 11 years old or so—I was really excited to learn this stuff!
After Dad died, Bob was the brother who lived closest to Mom, Tom and I and so I had many occasions to call and ask for advice on how to be the “man of the house”. He "helped" me rebuild the engine of our car (actually, he rebuilt it, but let me take some credit) so I could drive Mom around like Dad used to. I could count on Bob to give me the right advice in the same way Dad would have.
I thought it was cool (and I still do) that we share so many coincidences in life. For instance, we both share November birthdays. We were both born in Fowler, California. We both went further in the Boy Scouts than any of our other brothers. We both married girls named Marilyn. We both share an unshakable belief in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I counted on Bob for a lot of my spiritual direction. I could be sure it was spot-on traditional Truth and I have truly treasured and tried to follow every direction he gave me. He had his faults as he was the first [sometimes] to admit, but he was also the quickest to defend Our Lord when he felt our faith was being attacked. He could be gentle, and he could be firm—just what every sheep needs from a shepherd.
The picture on the left was drawn by Bob's son Tim. I have always loved this picture because it reminds me of the reward we will surely get if we keep our faith and bear our sufferings with heroic virtue.
I miss him a lot. But he taught me to believe that we never truly die. We just move from this earthly life to our eternal life in Christ. So I know we’ll see each other again someday. I love you Bob. Happy birthday.
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