I Thes. 4:13-18
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore, console one another with these words.
2 Cor. 4:13-5:1
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Alfonso Jalan, 78, of Crookston, Minnesota, and formerly of Grafton, North Dakota, died Wednesday morning, January 7, 2004 at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Alfonso was born on March 11, 1925, at Socorro, Texas, the son of Clemente and Juanita (Rodriguez) Jalan. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and later came to this area. On November 17, 1976, Alfonso was united in marriage to Amy Wallace at Crookston. The couple made their home in Grafton before moving to East Grand Forks, and then to Crookston in 1994. Alfonso worked many years as a foreman in construction and also helped during many sugar beet harvests. Spending time with his family was most important to him, and he enjoyed fishing, bingo, and watching game shows on television. Alfonso was a great source of encouragement and never judged anyone. He had a wonderful gift of being able to make everyone around him smile. Alfonso will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and many friends.
Loving family members include his wife, Amy; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Tony and Danielle Jalan of Grand Forks, ND, and Alonzo Jalan of Crookston, MN; seven daughters, Juanita Jalan, Michelle Jalan, Amanda Jalan, Yolanda Jalan, Sara Jalan, Rachel Jalan, and Angelita Jalan all of Crookston; two grandchildren, Anthony and Tyra; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Alfonso was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; a brother; and an infant son.
Alfonso Jalen Funeral
January 10, 2004
Sympathy to Alfonso’s family and friends…
We gather today with heavy hearts, saddened by our loss - the loss of Alfonso Jalen, a husband, father, grandfather and a friend. But we also gather today to celebrate Alfonso’s life with us and to find consolation in our faith that tells us for those who believe in Jesus - death is not an end but rather a beginning of new and everlasting life with our loving God. The readings that the family chose for the funeral today help us to celebrate Alfonso’s life and give us consolation in our grief.
In the gospel we are reminded by the dialog between Elizabeth and Mary of the wondrous ways that God’s love is manifested in and through Mary. In the gospel we hear Mary pray the beautiful prayer that we call the Magnificat. In the 1st half Mary gives thanks and praise to God for what God’s love has done in and through her, in the 2nd half Mary acknowledges what God’s love has done for God’s people. And most importantly for us, we are reminded that what happened to Mary, happens to us. What a message of hope that is. In the midst of our sadness and grief we are invited today to find consolation and hope in the wondrous ways God’s love is manifested in and through us and in our world.
From what you have shared with me, I suspect that if Alfonso were speaking to us right now, he would be encouraging us to find consolation and hope in this message. Alfonso was an ordinary man, meek and humble. He became the husband of Amy and God blessed you and Alfonso, Amy, with nine children, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. As you shared when we met the other day, Alfonso’s mission in life was to be sure that all of you knew how much he loved and respected you. As you remembered Alfonso, you talked about how he taught you that love means being other centered. He taught that you always make the best out of what you have. And he was always there to encourage you. You also talked of him as a humble man who understood what this gospel says to us about the kingdom of God being a place where those who are humble, meek and considered lowly – those are the very ones that God raises to the highest places in his kingdom. Yes if he were here, I wonder if Alfonso would not be encouraging you to make the best of this tragic loss to find hope and consolation in the love you have for each other and for Jesus. It is in the love that you share with one another that you will find God reaching out you in love lifting you from your lowliness and sadness, bringing you some consolation for your grief.
Our first reading also talks about finding consolation. It ended by saying: “Therefore, console one another with these words.” It is also my prayer that you can find some consolation in the those words that remind us of our belief in faith that death is not the end of our relationship with those who have gone before us in faith. Their will come at day when we will see Jesus face to face and be reunited with our loved ones who have gone before us in faith.
I pray that you can find some consolation in your loss as you continue to make the best of your journey in faith with Jesus and as you continue to love one another and to remember and celebrate Alphonso’s life with you. Until they day when all who follow Jesus in faith will be raised up and reunited with our loved ones and our loving God.