Morris Funeral

title: Janice Pyron Morris Funeral 

author: St. Paul's, Monroe 

date: April 19, 2022

Note:

The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be raised.

The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.

Opening

The second to last chapter of the Bible begins an awesome vision that culminates with words fit for end of a great symphony by a great composer.

20 The one who bears witness to these things says, “Yes, I’m coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

That's how the Bible ends. Every time I read it or hear it I feel awe and wonder.

The passage we heard today is the beginning of that vision.

A new heaven and a new earth. Underscore "new". Not a reproduction of the old Jerusalem -- a new Jerusalem.

It's a fit place for God to move in and make a home. This is a new thing God is doing.

When I try to fathom what that's all about, I think it might make a difference that I'm old. The perspective is different when you've been around a while.

I'm going to make all things new. Not a repeat of the old, but something entirely new. Not new like, do it over, but made to the perfection fitting for God to dwell in.

Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.

I get shivers inside when I read these words. It's not just that I'm old and impressed by all the things I can't do now that I used to be able to do.

This is a cosmic vision of where everything is headed, beyond what we can imagine. And it's all good.

We can readily say, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

These are words that some claim was the earliest Christian proclamation. The earliest faith statement. Maranatha. Come, Lord.

It's all good, and we give thanks.

A life together

When I spoke with Henry, and he described a little of the last week, I heard him speak of Janice with a deep intimacy, born of the 62 years together, a deep love. And then his voice kind of broke off, as if he began to see a vision. Not unlike the one I have just described.

Something new was being born out of the old. A new heaven and a new earth were about to born.

I had the distinct sense that he was ready to say, "Yes. Maranatha."

I can't begin to fathom the depth and breadth of what Janice's life was all about, or of what Henry and Janice's life together was all about.

For me it's like the ocean. Deep and largely beyond my knowing. Yet I know deep in my own life the truth of the final vision of John and the testimony of Jesus with his friend Martha.

I am the Resurrection and the life.

Resurrection

"Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."

At my age, I am so aware of what I don't know. But I know that if there's anything at all that's true in my life, it is that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

That's what it's all about.

In ways I can't fathom, but in the end is the rock upon which I have built my life.

Words of gratitude

In a moment we will hear some of the grace and details of the life of Janice Pyron Morris.

I know you will hear them with awe and wonder. Really what there is to say is simple.

Yes. Come, Lord. I give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endures forever.

index

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

advent-1-2017

Homily Advent 1: St. Paul’s Opening I have used the prayer Song of Zechariah for a very long time as a part of my daily prayer. I had it memorized by the time I was 30. Maybe I was drawn to it because it was a song by a father. I recognize I have a special place in my heart for fathers. It was sung by John the Baptist’s father, a priest, at the time his parents took John to be circumcised. He had been struck dumb, you may remember, when he scoffed at the notion that they would have a child at their advanced age. When next he opened his mouth to speak, he named the child “John” and praised God in song. Towards the end of the song we hear: Benedictus Dominus ( Song of Zechariah ) You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way , To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwel...
Read more

proper-19-st-christophers.md

Homily: September 16, 2018. Proper 19 St. Christopher’s, Spartanburg, SC Opening Thank you for the invitation to celebrate the Eucharist with you this morning. The weather’s a little bit dicey – but on the whole … Spartanburg has been for us generally a place we pass through on our way to somewhere else, Asheville, Atlanta, even Ohio. But now I’ve been here twice to supply. It’s good to get to know the people who call Spartanburg home . I learned just this past week that one of the clergy I meet regularly with spent some formative time here back in the 1980’s, Sally Franklin. Scripture I’m preparing a talk to be given in October where I’m supposed to say something about what is distinctive about the Anglican communion – particularly with regard to Scripture, Tradition, and Sacraments. In my ministry it has been common place to hear from teachers of various kinds that the Episcopal Church takes Scripture very seriously. Our liturgy comes with a very heavy dose of Scripture re...
Read more

proper12-july-29.md

Homily: St. Paul’s July 29 Welcome & Thank you It’s certainly been a while since I was last here and it’s good to be back. Thank you to your rector for inviting me to be with you during her vacation time this summer. Mary Pat is unable to be here today because of surgery she had on her foot at the beginning of the summer. The surgery was relatively straightforward but the recovery is a slow-going process. Telling the story (Narrative) Have you been following the magnificent story we’ve been hearing in the first reading this summer? It’s the Great David, introduced by the steady hand of – well sometimes the not so stay or accurate hand of – Samuel . And, of course, God who provides the winning hand. I’m so grateful to the adjusted readings we get because of the Common Lectionary . We get to listen to continuous readings from the Old Testament in a way we weren’t before the last 15 years or so. We’re in the midst of the narrative about David. It turns out David is really imp...
Read more