A sermon on Hebrews 4:14-16

By Fr. Mike Paraniuk
St. Mary Catholic Church
St. Benignus Catholic Church 
St. Mary Queen of Heaven
and Holy Trinity Catholic Church

The morning sun dispelled the dew on the grass, but not the suffering that would unfold that day. A family at Children's Hospital required my presence to give comfort at the passing of their baby. The parents' sorrow touched the doctors and nurses who worked so hard to give the baby a chance to live. 

This day would be different from other days at Children's Hospital. Before the sun set, four more children would pass; eight more parents would grieve. I was called to give comfort to them all.

My words and prayers would not take away the pain. The comfort I offered was hope. Our faith says death never has the last word. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?... But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 55-57.) 

At these sacred moments when a baby journeys to Heaven, parents will express fears. I give comfort by removing these fears. They don't need any more pain. 

One mother asked me, "How does my baby's soul know where to find Heaven? Will he get lost?" 

I replied, "His Guardian Angel will guide him to God's Throne. In God's Kingdom, a child's innocent soul is never lost." 

A father expressed his fear, "I hope to get to Heaven. Will I see my son again? Will he know I'm his dad?" 

I replied, "In Heaven, your love for him will continue. Love never dies. You will see him. God who reveals everything will show your son that you are his daddy. You will be his father forever." 

A mother's main concern was "what will my baby look like? Will she grow up and I don't recognize her?" 

I replied, "In Heaven, you can see her any way you want. A mother's love always knows who her child is."

A father lamented he would never be able to celebrate Christmas with his daughter and buy her presents. 

I replied, "In Heaven, every day is Christmas. God will give her all the presents her heart desires. Jesus already paid for them." 

I was exhausted after five children went to Heaven that day. I always said Children's Hospital sent more holy souls to Heaven than anywhere else. 

A big snowstorm arose on my ride home. Buckets of wet snow blanketed the hills.

When I got home, I sat on my bed looking out the window at the snowflakes falling all around. I felt so much sorrow I could hardly move. I asked God why He allowed this suffering. I prayed He would help those parents on their journey of tears. Then God gave me a powerful sign.

In the midst of this windy snowstorm, I caught site of something that should not be there. One lonely bright red cardinal was holding onto a tree branch to keep from blowing away. The bird kept staring at me. It stayed there for a long time, just staring at me.

I thought, "This must be a sign from God." 

I read about cardinals having a special meaning. In many cultures, cardinals are a sign of divine intervention. If a cardinal crosses your path, it is meant to give you strength and hope. Cardinals represent hope in the midst of tough times. 

In the Bible, birds were messengers from God. "If you see a cardinal right after the passing of a loved one, they are letting you know they made it home." (Jill Gleeson.) 

There is an old saying, "When Cardinals appear, angels are near."

God confirmed this sign a few days later. I was shopping at Goodwill for paintings. I came upon this one handmade painting that made me gasp. It was a picture of a cardinal sitting on a tree limb in a snowstorm. I feel peace every time I see it.

Hebrews 4:16 reads, "So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." 

When life dumps on you, go confidently to Jesus for help. He will stand by your side with His shovel. I have a plaque that reads, "Jesus, there is nothing that happens today you and I can't handle." 

The Bible and a little birdie told me.