I woke up early today and turned on the television to find the end of Pope Francis’ funeral. Now, I am watching a rebroadcast tonight. Some moments I appreciated:

the priest saying, “life is changed, not ended”

“holy holy holy, hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

I enjoyed hearing the prayers of different cardinals. The mass was so beautiful, and how great that so many world leaders were in attendance. And so many people — all different kinds of people — praying all together.

So sweet to see people wish each other peace and then pray for God’s mercy.

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”

”the great hope of the church is that we are not alone in any of our suffering”

I thought about how awesome it was that I was just there, in St. Peter’s square, just over a month ago.

I thought it was so moving to see the casket taken out of St. Peter’s and then, after a trip through Roma, be carried inside the favorite church of Pope Francis — Mary Major.

One of my favorite EWTN newscaster said how beautiful it is that through this experience of the Pope’s passing, so many people are going through TWO Holy Doors. What a good point. Pope Francis is bringing people to hope, grace, and mercy.

Meditating on the icon of Mary in that church takes you straight to St. Mary, and I remember the peace, incredible sigh-inducing peace of walking through the Holy Door. I understand why one would want to be buried there!!!

After a nap, I drove my son to his friend’s bar mitzvah. Across the street, there was another funeral, and I saw

another casket being carried on men’s shoulders. Another person has passed, as we are all united in having to pass through from this life to the next

and then I park and go across the street, where a young 13-year-old has started his life as a man, “beautiful, poignant words” being chanted in Hebrew. I read the English text in the prayer book as another boy helps to carry the big Torah

text about treating people as you would like to be treated and never treating people how you would hate to be treated yourself.

and the importance of reading Scripture

in that we are united— the EWTN newscaster says,

“the psalms to calm us and the gospel to inspire us”

we also love the word of God, and Pope Francis taught us how to —imperfectly, but beautifully and determinedly— treat others with love