Percy Thomas did not like speeches and, therefore, as it was his wish,
at his funeral there was only the celebration of the Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption (Cathedral)
I did share a few words before the final commendation
as I believe he left an important gift with us.
at his funeral there was only the celebration of the Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption (Cathedral)
I did share a few words before the final commendation
as I believe he left an important gift with us.
* * * * *
I would like to add three words before the final commendation. I believe these are three messages that Percy leaves at the end of his journey among us:
First
Once as we were chatting on the phone I told him: “I am happy when I see you have been entrusted with doing or fixing a certain road. I know you will do it well”. He replied: “Bishop, I like what I do”.
Percy did not just do what he had to do. He loved it and did it well. He made God’s gift in him grow. We will always remember him for that because we are reaping the benefits of it.
At a time when we might be tempted to just do things without giving the best of ourselves, at a time when we might be tempted to take shortcuts, Percy never spared himself in offering the best.
Percy did not just do what he had to do. He loved it and did it well. He made God’s gift in him grow. We will always remember him for that because we are reaping the benefits of it.
At a time when we might be tempted to just do things without giving the best of ourselves, at a time when we might be tempted to take shortcuts, Percy never spared himself in offering the best.
Second
Percy did everything without trying to show off. He worked in silence. He worked behind the scenes. He never wanted to be seen. He was a generous person but never wanted his generosity to be known. That was – somehow – his only condition to help: not to be known.
At a time when we might be tempted to advertise every good deed we do, at a time when we might be worried about not being given our place of honour in society, he has shown us how little all that matters in life at the end of the day.
At a time when we might be tempted to advertise every good deed we do, at a time when we might be worried about not being given our place of honour in society, he has shown us how little all that matters in life at the end of the day.
Third
Percy was grateful to his Church. He showed it all his life and never counted what he had already done to support her. He was always ready to do more.
At a time that we might be tempted to take what is given to us in our time of need and disappear, he chose to be grateful in words and actions all through his life.
In conclusion
I thought of sharing this because, many times, the gifts we see and remember in a person are unique and cannot be repeated. It was not the case for Percy.
He leaves us with – at least – three things we can all do and which have the power to change the way we live and world in which we live.
He leaves us with – at least – three things we can all do and which have the power to change the way we live and world in which we live.
+ José Luis IMC
Bishop of Manzini
