I met Jack Lyons more than thirty years ago. He was one of my students in the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program. I wish I could say that Jack was a particularly diligent and accomplished student, but that might be an overstatement of the truth. If asked, Jack would probably be the first to admit that academic pursuits were not among his favorite endeavors.
Jack wasn’t the sort to distinguish himself academically but, obviously, there are much more important things in life. Throughout his lifetime, Jack was well known for his capacities at the most important things in life. He was a loving and faithful husband, a devoted father, and doting grandfather. He was a devout and reliable presence at All Saints for many years.
In short, Jack was a good man; this, I think, is the most important thing one can do with one’s life. In my opinion, there is no greater achievement possible than to be a good and responsible person. I rely on the Gospel reading as evidence of this belief.
The Beatitudes in the Gospel reading are a typical example of prophetic preaching. The ancient Hebrew prophets, Christian prophets, and even pagan prophets routinely used lists of blessings and woes in their preaching. In Matthew’s Gospel, the list of blessings, the Beatitudes, is presented as a preface to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount; the list of woes occurs later in the Gospel as a preface to Jesus’ apocalyptic preaching.
As this is prophetic preaching, we are to understand that the virtues Jesus describes as sources of blessing are not blessings only for the individual who practices them. The poor in spirit, the meek, and the merciful are, first and foremost, sources of blessing for those around them.
This prophetic preaching describes every person who makes the effort necessary to live a holy life. The Beatitudes preface the Sermon on the Mount, that is, Jesus’ teachings on the nature of discipleship, because learning to live a holy life is the sole purpose of religion. I am aware that it is an uncommon opinion to view religious practice as a lifelong learning process, but this is what I see portrayed in the Scriptures.
Admittedly, religion is most often understood to be a means to an end. In a consumer society like ours, religion is seen as a means to obtain grace, or blessings, or heaven, or answers to prayers. While this position is very popular, I consider it entirely faithless.
At no point in the Gospels does Jesus say, or suggest, that one should spend one’s life accumulating favors from God, or responses to requests, or eternal perquisites. Jesus’ teaching is very simple; he commanded his disciples to love God and neighbor. That means to love God and neighbor here and now – in this world – not waiting until the end of life to begin to do.
I am unswayed by the popular opinion that religion is a means to obtain benefits for oneself. I prefer to understand religion as a school for goodness rather than a scheme for acquisition. The lessons that faithful religion intends to teach are summarized in the Beatitudes and exemplified in Deacon Jack Lyons’ life.
Throughout his life, and in all his relationships, Jack was hungry for righteousness and an example of righteousness; he was pure of heart and an example of piety. He was a peacemaker and a peace-filled person; he was a blessing to this parish and to all who met him. Jack was a profoundly good person because he devoted himself to the lifelong project of learning goodness from the teachings of Jesus.
I don’t remember the grades that Jack earned in my class in the Diaconate Formation Program, but I’m very well aware of the grades he earned in the school of goodness that is the life of faith. He left behind a loving family, countless infants baptized, couples joined in marriage, converts instructed in the Faith, and parishioners consoled and encouraged. He will always be remembered here as the presence of God for those in need and those pursuing greater faith.
In an obvious and very real sense, we are immeasurably poorer for Jack’s death. That good man is taken from us but there remains cause for gratitude and hope. We should be forever grateful that, in Jack, we knew such an accomplished student of Jesus and brilliant example of goodness.
When I began this assignment as pastor of All Saints, I gathered the office staff and clergy for a staff meeting. Jack was silent and attentive for a long time; when the conversation lulled, he interjected his opinions about some things in the parish he wanted to see changed. He began his remarks by saying, “With all due respect . . .” Clearly, he didn’t want to offend anyone who held an opinion contrary to his own. Very quickly, however, “With all due respect” became a catchphrase in the parish office; it usually meant that facetious criticism was to follow.
Jack, with all due respect, I will miss you and be forever grateful for your friendship, your ministry to the parish, and your ministry to the diocese. I hope I can score as well as you did in the Lord’s school of goodness.
