“Death, the one appointment we must all keep, and for which no time is set.” (Charlie Chan) I wonder what was written in Jerry Falwell’s date book yesterday. I also wonder about the context of Charlie’s quote. Regardless, the truth remains that there is one appointment we all must keep. Be prepared! ;-) Jack
FROM C.H. ON CAPE COD: Yes, true enough. But I recall Luther Wright's funeral - and the brother-in-law who shared how he had asked Luther before his death, "If you had one more Easter sermon to preach, in a couple sentences, what would you preach..." And Luther said, "I know when I close my eyes to death... that when I open them, I will open them to Jesus." So, maybe the appointment we keep isn't with death but with Jesus, and death is just the entry way to get where we're going.
FROM P.H. IN MINNESOTA: Garrison Keilor likes to say that its a shame we all have to miss our own funerals and usually its just by a couple of days!
FROM MOLINER, D.S.: I wonder if God uses a Palm Pilot?
FROM L.K. IN OHIO: ...and for which no set amount of time is allotted......and, to me, that is good.
FROM STADER IN MICHIGAN: Death and taxes are a given, It is how we prepare for this that COUNTS! Amen!!!
FROM PR. G.W. IN TEXAS: “They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people’.” Luke 7:16
Today I attended a funeral. It was different than most funerals I attend. Today I was seated with the congregation. The congregation was different, too. Most of us were in uniform, vested in albs with stoles. The vast majority of those in attendance were other ELCA pastors. We were gathered to celebrate the life of one of our own. And, we were gathered together to remember the sure and certain hope of the resurrection for all who follow God’s Son, Jesus, our risen Lord.
Funerals are never easy for me, leading or watching. There’s a finality to each that is difficult. A relationship is ended, left to memories that occasionally pop into mind at the strangest times. Further opportunities for sharing all the experiences of this life’s journey with the one who has passed on are lost. Thoughts move backward to the past. Time seems to almost stand still. It’s hard to look to the future’s fullness in the emptiness of the present. It’s hard to hear God’s promise through the present’s pain. Dealing with death, especially when it’s a friend, a fellow pastor only one year older than you, isn’t easy.
It wasn’t easy for the folks in our Good News for this coming Sunday, either. In the procession winding its way through the town of Nain were the usual funeral procession participants of the time: friends, family, neighbors and professional mourners with musical instruments and woeful wails. That day’s departed was too young, too. That day’s survivor was a widowed mother. Jesus saw her pain. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” He touched the wicker basket carrying her son and told him, “Young man, get up!” He did and the mother’s pain was gone. And the people were prompted to praise Jesus, saying, “God has come to help his people!”
In the Word of God, in the fellowship of other pastors and believers, in the tunes and lyrics of ancient and modern hymns, God helped me today. He pointed me to a future where one day the relationships with all those I’ve known and loved here will be renewed endlessly in his presence! Praise God for His Savior Son who tells us all, “Get up and live!” And praise God for the life and ministry of Pastor Daryl Koenig who touched young lives and old across our country with the power, pardon, presence and peace of Christ!
Who do you need to spend some time with before it may be too late? Who needs you to share the peace and promise of the Risen Christ with them today? What has God done for you today that should prompt you to praise?
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