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In the midst of tears and feelings of inconsolable loss, the son of Justice Scalia dispersed prayer in the air which will remain in memory for all time. And no tasteless little jester’s joke could ever take its place

Fr. Scalia’s Prayer one for Us All

By Judi McLeod ——--February 24, 2016

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Barack Obama’s joke that there was a lot to get done during his final days in office, including “appointing judges” will be only as lasting as were the ‘governor’ guffaws ‘at yesterday’s National Governors Association gathering.
“Some of you may be in the final year of your term, working as hard as you can to get as much done as possible for the folks you represent, fixing roads, educating our children, helping people retrain, appointing judges, the usual stuff,” the president jested, as the crowd in attendance burst into laughter.
It was a tasteless joke from a jester that passed as swiftly as the fleeting, wraith-like forms of Barack and Michelle Obama paying their 2-minute-long “respects” in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court Building, where the body of Justice Antonin Scalia was laid in repose. Whether they were trying for that last public slap in the face or not, the black-clad, so-obviously--in-a-hurry Obamas were the only sinister impression in the Great Hall where thousands came to pay their last respects to an iconic justice loved by so many. The Obamas’ in-and-out routine bombed, just as effectively as Obama’s playing golf act bombed the day of Justice Scalia’s funeral when rain drove him off the golf course. (Gateway Pundit, Feb. 21, 2016) Even after death, it’s Justice Scalia 1, Barack Obama 0. For the heart-rending words in the eulogy given to his Father by Catholic priest Fr. Paul Scalia, offered both for the one who lay in repose in the Supreme Court’s Great Hall, and the One to Whom we pray in Heaven, will never be forgotten.
Fr. Scalia’s words in prayer were not intended only for his own grieving Mother and the Family of which he is one of nine, but for all of those who feel the chill of their own mortality in the untimely passing of another. Who, once made aware of them, could ever forget Fr. Scalia’s words in prayer:
“We are gathered here because of one man. A man known personally to many of us, known only by reputation to even more. A man loved by many, scorned by others. A man known for great controversy, and for great compassion. That man, of course, is Jesus of Nazareth. “It is He whom we proclaim. Jesus Christ, son of the father, born of the Virgin Mary, crucified, buried, risen, seated at the right hand of the Father. It is because of him. because of his life, death and resurrection that we do not mourn as those who have no hope, but in confidence we commend Antonin Scalia to the mercy of God.”
With words that came like balm for souls locked in sorrow, Fr. Paul reminded all that death never took his father from our midst, but salvation came to call; the same salvation available to any who believe in Christ’s promise if only we repent.
“Scripture says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. And that sets a good course for our thoughts and our prayers here today. In effect, we look in three directions. To yesterday, in thanksgiving. To today, in petition. And into eternity, with hope.” Fr. Scalia continued. “We look to Jesus Christ yesterday, that is, to the past, in thanksgiving for the blessings God bestowed upon Dad. In the past week, many have recounted what Dad did for them. But here today, we recount what God did for Dad, how he blessed him. “We give thanks first of all for the atoning death and life-giving resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Lord died and rose not only for all of us, but also for each of us. And at this time we look to that yesterday of his death and resurrection, and we give thanks that he died and rose for Dad. “Further, we give thanks that Jesus brought him to new life in baptism, nourished him with the Eucharist, and healed him in the confessional. “We give thanks that Jesus bestowed upon him 55 years of marriage to the woman he loved, a woman who could match him at every step, and even hold him accountable. “God blessed Dad with a deep Catholic faith: The conviction that Christ's presence and power continue in the world today through His body, the Church. He loved the clarity and coherence of the church's teachings. He treasured the church's ceremonies, especially the beauty of her ancient worship. He trusted the power of her sacraments as the means of salvation as Christ working within him for his salvation.”
In the midst of tears and feelings of inconsolable loss, the son of Justice Scalia dispersed prayer in the air which will remain in memory for all time. And no tasteless little jester’s joke could ever take its place.

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Judi McLeod—— -- Judi McLeod, Founder, Owner and Editor of Canada Free Press, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience in the print and online media. A former Toronto Sun columnist, she also worked for the Kingston Whig Standard. Her work has appeared throughout the ‘Net, including on Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.

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