Today was the burial of my husband's aunt and godmother. On the website of the church where her service was the priest articulated how he does not do eulogies that he does a homily in keeping with the readings that are picked for the service. I have to say it was a beautiful homily that was given.
As Christians we believe that death does not have the last stamp on our lives. Because Jesus died and rose again we have eternal life and anticipation of our own resurrection at the day when Christ comes again. The emphasis today on this theology came through beautifully in the Easter-tide liturgy, the wonderful array of flowers on the altar, the flowing fount by the baptismal font, and in the words of the priest as he explained our hope as an Easter people. Especially in this sacred time of the Octave of Easter last week and the fact that she died in that time, knowing and resting on the hope of God's loving arms.
As Christians we have tended to gravitate with the culture in marking funerals as the celebration of the past life of the deceased. By doing this we avoid the question of death and where our true hope lies. It is in this resurrection hope where we are supposed to find new life, the joy of knowing that even in death we are never separated from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:37-39). If we truly believe this, it should be a joyous occasion for the church, for us as the body of Christ, and for the family.
We know we are Christ's forever. The celebration of the life is in celebrating the fact that we are an Easter people who have put our trust in death not having the final say. "Christ is risen indeed!"
As Christians we believe that death does not have the last stamp on our lives. Because Jesus died and rose again we have eternal life and anticipation of our own resurrection at the day when Christ comes again. The emphasis today on this theology came through beautifully in the Easter-tide liturgy, the wonderful array of flowers on the altar, the flowing fount by the baptismal font, and in the words of the priest as he explained our hope as an Easter people. Especially in this sacred time of the Octave of Easter last week and the fact that she died in that time, knowing and resting on the hope of God's loving arms.
As Christians we have tended to gravitate with the culture in marking funerals as the celebration of the past life of the deceased. By doing this we avoid the question of death and where our true hope lies. It is in this resurrection hope where we are supposed to find new life, the joy of knowing that even in death we are never separated from the love of Christ (Rom. 8:37-39). If we truly believe this, it should be a joyous occasion for the church, for us as the body of Christ, and for the family.
We know we are Christ's forever. The celebration of the life is in celebrating the fact that we are an Easter people who have put our trust in death not having the final say. "Christ is risen indeed!"
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