A Time to Be Born and a Time to Die.

Some devotional thoughts

As a rule, I haven't enjoyed funerals too much. I tend to get emotional, even when it's a funeral for someone I didn't really have a strong emotional relationship with. But in the last few months, I have participated in two funerals where my attitude has been different.

Earlier this year Lois & I attended the funeral of my Aunt Dolores. This past FRI 5/26. We attended the funeral of my Uncle Harold. Hymns & Scripture readings, which were chosen by the family, really spoke to me. Amazingly, I did not get emotional. 

Here are some gleanings from last FRI's celebration.

Hymn: "On Eagles'Wings" (LSB #727)  **

(St. 1) "You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, 

Who abide in His shadow for life,

Say to the Lord: 'My refuge, My rock in whom I trust!'

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His hand."

MY COMMENT:  My aunt & uncle died in the faith. Jesus was their refuge, their rock in whom they trusted. I can visualize them being raised up to heaven on eagles' wings. ASIDE:  My Uncle Harold's middle name, "Martin," came about because he was born on Martin Luther's birthday.

** Source:  Lutheran Service Book (CPH), 2001.

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a . . . "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die... "

MY COMMENT:  When Uncle Harold was given the news that there really nothing that could be done for him medically, & the only option was for him to begin hospice care & receive only nourishment & some medication, his comment, despite his Alzheimer's, was "There's a time to live & a time to die." 

Hymn: "For All the Saints: (LSB #677) **

(St. 6) "The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;

Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

MY COMMENT:  Lois & I lost a baby just after he reached the stage of viability. Later that spring or early summer we sang in our church's--Trinity Lutheran in Lincon--choir at an outdoor worship. We sang this hymn. I got very emotional as we sang this stanza. It was the emotion of grief. I was able to sing it last FRI with the sure knowledge that my aunt & uncle were faithful warriors who are resting in the sweet calm of paradise.

** Source:  Ditto

Third Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9 ..."For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one boast."

MY COMMENT:  Right up there with my Top Five Favorite Bible passages. Since we are helpless to save ourselves by our own good works, God the Father intervened & sent God the Son, Jesus Christ, who proved God's grace by His sacrificial death & glorious resurrection.

From The Apostle's Creed

". . . I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

Homily:  Like many sermons that I've heard in Lutheran churches, while the pastor mentioned exemplary ways that my uncle had served his Lord, the focus was on his love & trust in Jesus Christ, His Lord & Savior.

From the Right of Committal:  (Jesus said), "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live; even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die." John 11:25-26a

MY COMMENT:  My aunt & uncle believed in Jesus, our resurrection & life. Even while their bodies are entombed, their souls live on. Someday their souls & bodies will be united on Resurrection Day. So will all of us who believe that Jesus is the Resurrection & the Life.