Homily for Funeral of Vito Michael Salvante

Homily for the Funeral of
Vito Michael Salvante

Nov. 20, 2023
Matt 11: 25-30
Wis 3: 1-9
Rom 14: 7-12
Holy Name of Jesus, New Rochelle, N.Y.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11: 28).

by Paris Bordone

Jesus gives us a warm, friendly invitation to be united with him, yoked with him, teamed with him (11:29).  His invitation is for this life and for a future life too.  “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:8).

So now, after a long life that had its share of labor, service to our country, and illness, Vito Michael has come to a complete union with Christ our Savior, in whom he hoped; who promises us rest—eternal rest:  “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them” (Wis 3:1).  Altho we’re all sinners, it’s our hope that Christ indeed delivers us from after-death torment and, instead, welcomes us—as we heard in yesterday’s gospel (Matt 25:14-30)—with, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Come and share your master’s joy.”

Death is an affliction (cf. Wis 3:2).  Vito Michael may have suffered in his last moments.  We who survive him are afflicted, mourning the loss of a brother, a cousin, a friend.  But Vito Michael’s afflicted no more:  “as a sacrificial offering God took him to himself” (3:6).  For that, we are filled with hope; we rejoice even.  “The faithful shall abide with him in love” (3:9).

We pray that Vito Michael and all who pass into eternity may be among God’s chosen ones:  “Every tongue shall give praise to God” (Rom 14:11).  “All things have been handed over to me by my Father,” Christ says, and the Son has revealed the Father to Vito Michael, so that he may “find rest for [himself]” (Matt 11:29), resting easy in the realm of light and friendship with our Lord Jesus, our Blessed Mother, and all the saints.  This is our prayer today for Vito Michael, and the prayer for each one of us who must one day make the same journey to “stand before the judgment seat of God” (Rom 14:10).  May Vito Michael and each of us trust in the Lord and “abide with him in love.”