Why hate golf?

Homily

Funeral Mass for Anthony Craig McCoy

St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas

Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter B2

18 May 2024

AMDG

Why did Craig hate golf?

I had to start this brief homily by quoting the shortest line from Craig's obituary.  'He hated golf'  Though Craig loved being part of the club, and the people he knew from there, apparently he hated golf.  Smart man, I'd say.  Golf is a  four letter word, and it doesn't often bring people closer to God. Though it's a beautiful pastime and one that should bring glory to God, the holy name of God is rarely invoked in prayer and much more often used in vain on the golf course.  I have a story about that involving Bruce that is not dignified enough for a homily.  

In the end, I don't blame Craig for being like my dad, who thought golf was for sissies, and thought it quite dumb that grown men would try to hit a little white ball out of sight and then go look for it.  

If it wasn't for golf, though, I wouldn't have met my good friend Bruce, for it was through Topeka Country Club and Christ the King that I first met the McCoy's, and subsequently the McPhersons.  I'm grateful to you Cathy and to Craig, for being friends and having friends that I will cherish, and you have my deepest sympathy and prayers, Cathy, on the loss of your son just a short time ago and now your husband.  It is a great honor to pray for their souls and for the mercy and love of God to conquer even death itself, and to invite your beloved into the embrace of eternal life in heaven.

Craig built homes, and we see clearly in John Chapter 14 that this was Jesus' desire as well, to prepare a place for us in heaven, and to invite us into the way of love that builds a new home and a new kingdom that can never be destroyed.  I just returned from a mission trip to Mexico City, where I encountered thousands of homeless, young and old, natives and migrants, men and women, and it was heartbreaking.  It is a consolation that Craig knew the importance of having a home, a place where you can know who you are and who loves you, a place where you can believe that you belong and your life is destined for more.  I praise God for all the good Craig was able to do with his life; most importantly, providing a sense of home for many whom he served and loved.

Now we commend Craig to the 'way' that builds the kingdom of heaven.  The way is very simple, but easy to lose track of.  The way of Jesus is his passion for giving life to others, to being faithful to others, to serving others to the end.  Craig participated in this 'way' of Jesus in his own way, to be sure, but as with all our beloved, we lift up the love Craig was able to receive and give, and we beg mercy for the love that was lacking.  We pray that Craig's life will mysteriously participate in the sacrifice of Jesus which God has promised to use to build the kingdom of heaven.

As we confess the nail in the coffin that is the end of Craig's life here on earth, we remember the nails that fastened Jesus to the cross as He emptied Himself for love of Craig and all of us.  That love is stronger than all things, as is the cross which is not the wood of death, but the wood of new life, and where eternal life truly begins.  Amen.