Homily for the Funeral of Bill Krogman at St Mary’s Parish, St. Benedict, KS, on the Feast of St. Scholastica, February 10, 2006

Homily for the Funeral of Bill Krogman at St Mary’s Parish, St. Benedict, KS, on the Feast of St. Scholastica, February 10, 2006

It is my privilege to speak in the name of the members of St. Mary’s Parish, the name of Sister Mary Beth and for myself a promise of prayers and sympathy for Bill but especially for Janice, Leonard, Clara, and especially to Brie.

It takes a child to accept the fact that beyond and below all that has happened these past three days there is love. To accept the fact that the yoke of the Lord is easy and his burden light takes the simple faith of the child and not the often-futile attempts to explain which we adults love to indulge in. Natural forces beyond our control took a course that is inevitable in all our lives. We can be content with a rational explanation but that seems not to satisfy once it is expressed. We want something more. Only a person like Brie or one who has a child-like faith can accept that “something more.”

It takes a child to understand the mind of God who allows a young person to be taken away from us.

It takes a child to accept that Jesus is the Lord of the living and the dead. He allows no final harm to come to any of us.

It takes a child- like faith to rest content in knowing that the Lord holds Bill in the palm of His hand, has always done that, and wanted Bill in His time and not our own.

It takes a child to really accept that all things work together unto good for those who love and believe in Jesus.

It takes one with a child-like faith and trust to accept the fact that from the current sorrow and tragedy that good has come already and will continue to come. Good has come because Bill lives on in the lives of others because of his liver donation and the donation of other organs. Good will continue to come as the beneficiaries continue to live. Good will continue to come as love that might never have been awakened is drawn out of our hearts as we meet Clara, Leonard, and Janice. Brie's presence remains to offer all of us, but particularly her immediate family, a person for special loving. An unexpected grace, opportunity, and challenge.

It takes one with Child-like faith to say with Job, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, praised be the name of the Lord.”

It is in apparent tragedy that the Lord speaks to all of us but especially to those of child-like faith.