Fr. Roni Zacharias delivers the homily at the funeral of Manus Martin in St. Patrick's Pennyburn on December 30, 2024

Transcript

00:00We gather today in faith, love and hope to celebrate the life of Manus Martin, a

00:07man who touched so many lives with his kindness, devotion, generosity. As we

00:18mourn his passing, we also give thanks for the many blessings he

00:24brought those around him to take comfort in the promise of eternal life. Manus was

00:35a man of great dedication, not only in his 43 years of service as a civil

00:42servant, but also in his devotion to charity work, his love for sports and the

00:51joy he found in kisses and social gatherings. He supported his beloved

01:02Derry City and Celtic football club with passion and shared laughter and

01:10companionship at the day center. Manus had a special compassion in his

01:19widow Charlie. These moments of love and joy are precious memories for all who

01:28knew him. The words of St. Paul in Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 7 to 8 come to

01:38mind when we think of Manus. I have fought the good fight, I have finished

01:45the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of

01:53righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will award to me on that

01:59day. Manus lived his life fully with faith, kindness and service. We can trust

02:10that he now receives the crown of righteousness entering into God's

02:15eternal presence. We take comfort in the words of Jesus in John. Do not let your

02:26hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. My father's house has

02:34many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to

02:41prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come back

02:48and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. Manus has now been

02:57called home to the father's house where he is reunited with his beloved wife

03:04Majella and his son Antony. We can picture them welcoming him with open

03:11arms, a joyful reunion in heaven. To his dear family Kate, Peter, his siblings,

03:21nieces, nephews and all who grieve today, let these words remind you that Manus

03:30journey has not ended but has transformed. His love remains with you

03:38woven into your hearts and in the quiet moments when you recall his smile or

03:47hear his laughter in your mind, know that his spirit is near. Finally let us hold

03:58on the promise of Romans chapter 8 verses 38 to 39. For I am convinced that

04:08neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the

04:16future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation

04:25will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our

04:32Lord. Manus is now at peace in God's love, a love that connects us all even

04:41across the boundary of death. Let us carry his legacy of kindness, joy and

04:50generosity forward in our own lives and may the peace of Christ bring comfort

04:57and hope to us all as we trust in the promise of eternal life. May God bless us all.

05:07Amen