Here is his Homily It was so beautiful just as this priest has such a beautiful Spirit no wonder God called Him to the Priesthood He is my Spiritual Director, My Friend, My Brother.
FUNERAL HOMILY
FOR
SCOTT HALSEY, JR.
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2007
A young man writes of his mother's death:
"I was bewildered and lost. I missed my mother immensely. Everything she ever touched became precious. Then one day, my eyes fell upon a card under the glass top on my dresser. I recalled seeing it there for the first time just after my mother went to the hospital. But, I did not bother to read it then. Now I pulled it out and read. It said:
"For every pain we must bear, for every burden every care, There's a reason.
For every grief that bows the head, for every teardrop that is shed, There's a reason.
For every hurt, for every plight, for every lonely, pain-racked night, There's a reason.
"But if we trust God, as we should, It will turn out for our good. He knows the reason.
As I sat there, I could picture my mother coming into my room and slipping the card beneath the glass, as if to say, "It's all right, Jon; God knows the reason.' "From that moment on, said the young man, "I was able to accept my mother's death." When it comes to the death of a loved one, about all we can say is, "God knows the reason!
and that's about as far as we can go.
Sisters and Brothers, today we come to celebrate and remember the life of Scott Halsey Jr, better known to everyone as Scotty or his family would refer to him as Jr. Some of you may be wondering why this had to happen. Scotty was a young man in the prime of his life. He was only 29 years old. However, we do know that God knows the reason for calling Scotty home to Him at this time. A reason we may not understand, but a reason that God has.
Scotty has taken his place with God. We heard in the Gospel of John, that the Lord has prepared a place for all of us. A place where there is no more suffering, no more crying, no more sadness, but a place where there is love, a place where there is joy, a place where there is peace. A place, where Scotty is home with God.
Words cannot express the grief, the pain, the anger, the outrage that some of you may be feeling at the death of Scotty. I am sure some of you have been asking why, why, why? Why Scotty, he was young, vibrant, a fighter, he had so much to live for, he was full of life. At this time, we need to let our despair and questions, turn us to reflect on Jesus. Jesus was young when he died, He also cried out to God with his question; recall Psalm 22, where the words are eluded to Jesus, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” There are forces in nature which are evil, that are not just, that from time to time rise up, bringing pain and suffering, and yes, death to those we love. Scotty’s death should make us think of our own mortality. If death can come to him at such a young age, then it can surely come to us. Life is short, and therefore we should live our life to its fullest.
There is a Scripture in the Book of Hebrews that speaks to faith and to those who have lived a short life. Hebrews 11:13-16 reads:
“All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, for those ho speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land from which they come, they would have had the opportunity to return. But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” This passage is based on the life and death of those who died before their fulfillment. Those young and old, people of faith. So it is with Scotty, God is not ashamed to be call His God, for God has prepared a city, a place for Scotty that he has taken.
Scotty has left his earthly home and set out for his heavenly home. It is a home he has prepared for all of his life. In his earthly home, Scotty learned the values of God, life, work and family. However, he has done his time here. God saw fit to take him out of his suffering, to call him home at this time and give him peace.
Today we celebrate Scotty’s homecoming, we gather to remember his life and to thank God for the gift of his life, and for allowing us to get to know him for these 29 years. Scotty was a person who loved life. He enjoyed being with the people that God placed in his life. We will miss that about him. He enjoyed living and having a good time. He also enjoyed helping people. We will miss that about him.
Scotty loved his family, especially his parents, his sisters, his nieces and nephews. Home was very important to him. He was the second child, of three, and the only son in the family. In his family he learned how to love, how to be a family, how to be a child of God. Those values of love, family and faith was passed on to everyone he met especially his friends.
To Scotty’s family, Scott Sr. and Lolita, you will miss Scotty, he was your only son. You taught him many things, you saw him grow up to be the person God called him to be. He was a mama’s boy all the time, and a daddy’s boy in difficult time. Never the less he was your boy. No one could ever know or understand what you are feeling right now. But know that Mary, and Jesus knows your pain. You will miss him. Jennifer and Jolene, he was your brother. I am told that your bond of being siblings was very close. Remember the good times you had with your brother. I know this is difficult for you. As you held on to him so tight last Tuesday, I could see your love and hurt. But, know that he is very near to you. To his nieces and nephew, Uncle Scotty was your “Uncle” Remember him always and the special bond that you had. To Randy, Maranda, Karanda, and Tre, you had a very special bond of friendship that was unique to each one of you. Cherish you memories and your time together. They will carry you through the days ahead. To Grand Ma and Grand Pa, you also taught Scotty and shared special Remember him always and the special bond that you had. Grand parents time with him, keep them close to you. To all of you, remember the words of Jesus, that we heard today in John’s Gospel, “Let not your hearts be troubled, but have faith in God, faith in Jesus.”
Death is a mystery that leaves loved ones grieving, questioning, wondering and crying. Where you sit, I have been. Take time and remember Scotty, talk about him, cry or do whatever it takes to get through this difficult time. You may choose to cry or be alone. Do it, because this is a time to cry and be alone. Remember, each one of you had a different relationship with Scotty. Your grief is going to be different and unique because of your relationship him. Don’t let anyone tell you, you should be over it. To me, the pain of death and grief is a permanent, it gets better as time goes on, but the wound is always there. You will always know and remember that Scotty came and he left.
Again, I encourage you today, to remember the good times that you had with Scotty, for those memories will be the things that will help you to get through the difficult days ahead. Remember his laughter, his smile, his directness. Let these things be inspiration to you as you go forth from this day. Remember most the advice, the things he said to you.
Sisters and Brothers our hearts are heavy now, our hearts are heavy because we will miss Scotty. We will miss the way that he encouraged us to do well. We will miss the way he made his presence known. Scotty loved people. He never met a stranger. He was a good and genuine person. That’s a good trait to have. But, it is a trait that I believe got him in trouble. People don’t know how to appreciate good people who are genuine and friendly. Scott was that type of person. His friend Randy, tells of a time when they were riding together and saw an accident happen. Scotty jumped out of the car and ran to see if the people were hurt. He called 911. Not many people do that today.
Scotty liked living and enjoying the things that God gave us. He enjoyed all types of Music; he enjoyed dancing, cars and fishing. But his great love was people. Scott was direct when he talked with you. He did not sugar coat many things. He was a good listener. He was his own person. He did not carry or worry about what people said about him. He was always concerned about hurting other people. People were people, and he loved them no matter what. We will miss that about him.
Sisters and Brothers God placed Scotty in our lives for a special reason. A reason that only God knows, a reason that some of you may know. However, Scotty has done his time here, he is at peace now. Yes we are hurting, we are crying, but our scripture tells us, "That weeping will endure for a while, but joy will come.” We will be sad, but we must remember that Scotty is at home with God. Scotty's physical presence will be taken away, but he will always live in the hearts and the minds of the people who knew and loved him.
I believe that Scotty prayed to God for strength, for courage, to be able to walk the Christian journey. God heard Scotty’s prayer. Scotty was a person like all of us. He lived life, he enjoyed life, and he mad some bad choices in life. Sometimes the choices we make can lead us away from God. Scotty has that time in his life where he turned from God. God bought him back. Our first reading, Psalm 81 was his favorite Psalm that lead him back to God. Scotty was grateful to God for being his light, his guide, his Savior. In Baptism, Scotty took on Christ, now in death he lives with Christ. As you cry this day, cry with those who gather here to celebrate Scotty’s homecoming. Do whatever, you have to, to grieve his death. If that means crying, screaming, or whatever, do it, it is important to do. There is an African saying that says, " Our tears are the passageway that takes a person to heaven." So cry, but know that God will wipe away every tear.
Jesus tells us in the gospel of John today, to have faith. Faith in God, faith in Jesus. Life presents us with many obstacles and challenges. They are all opportunities to grow in our faith. When death comes to us, it is a time to reflect, pray and trust God. God knows what is best for us. Therefore, we have to trust God, and let God take care of us. So, let not your hearts be troubled. Scotty, has done his time here, you have to continue to live without him, but know that he will live in your hearts and minds. When you are sad, and you are thinking about Scotty, remember him in the ways he liked to be with you. When you do this Scotty lives.
Sister and Brothers, today we must give our pain to God. In the midst of our questions, our hurt, our pain, there is only one way to Go. Just as Scotty walked by faith, just as he has gone to God, we too must go to God, give God our pain, trust God with our pain, so that He can care for us, as God cared for Scotty. It is only in God, that we can carry our hurt, without breaking.
So today, as you wonder why, know that God has the answer, God knows the reason why. On eagles wings Scotty has soared up to heaven to take his place with God. He has soared up to heaven to rest in the hands of God. He is home with God, whom he loved and served. We thank God today, for allowing Scott Halsey, Jr. to come into our lives and to make it different. So let not your hearts be troubled.
I close with the words of a Bahamian Gospel Song:
Lay down my dear Brother.
Lay down and take your rest.
Lay your head upon the Savior's breast
Although, I love You, We love you, Jesus loves you Best!
I bid you Good Night, Good Night, Good Night.
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