St. Paul’s Church in
Bergen, Jersey City NJ
July 7, 2013
Memorial Service for
Juney L. James, Jr.
Lamentations 3:22-26,
31-33
Psalm 121
1 Thessalonians
4:13-18
John 11:21-27
The Sacred Journey
One
of the more difficult challenges for a priest is to offer a homily at the
funeral for someone we never had the chance to meet. And, unless our paths
crossed here at St. Paul’s years ago, that’s the case today. I had never had
the privilege of meeting and knowing Juney. But, reading about him and hearing
about him makes me wish that I had.
Although
I didn’t know Juney, I do know some of his family pretty well. So, I know he
comes from people who are strong in the face of adversity – people who love
generously and smile easily – people who have known great sadness but who are
the last to give up hope.
Everything
I’ve read and heard about Juney tells me that’s the kind of person he was. So,
I know even now, a few months after his death, your grief must be very deep.
But, I also imagine that you’ve spent a lot of time remembering happy days
together. And, knowing the deep faith of Juney’s family, I’m sure that over the
past few months you’ve taken comfort in the Lord’s promise to never abandon us
– the Lord’s promise to be with us always, even to the end – the Lord’s promise
that death is not the end for those who trust in him.
I
pray that those happy memories and our Lord’s promises will comfort you and
help your grief and healing.
Like
most, if not all, of you I live my life focused on the day to day: what do I
need to get done today, this hour, this minute; paying bills that need to be
paid; trying to keep up with family and friends; making grocery lists; chilling
out in front of the TV…you get the idea.
But,
when I stop, take a breath, give myself some quiet and really pay attention,
I’m reminded that life is a journey.
We
are all on a journey together – a journey from God to God.
Since
we’re usually focused on the day to day, most of the time we can’t really see
the shape of our journey. But, at the big milestones of life, especially births
and deaths, we do get a sense of our sacred journey that’s full of unexpected
twists and turns, our sacred journey that’s marked by moments of profound grief
and overflowing joy.
And
our brother Jesus’ earthly life was also a sacred journey – a journey from the
manger in Bethlehem – to growing up in Nazareth – to beginning his ministry in
the waters of the River Jordan – to facing betrayal, rejection and death in
Jerusalem.
Today
we heard about one of the biggest moments of Jesus’ sacred journey in the
passage I just read from the Gospel of John.
To
back up just a bit, Jesus has arrived in Bethany after the death of his friend
Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary. We’re told that Lazarus has already
been in the tomb four days. Four days. All hope would seem to be lost.
In
the passage I read today, Martha goes out to greet Jesus. She expresses great
confidence in him, saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not
have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask him.”
Jesus
tells Martha, “Your brother will rise again.”
She
understandably misunderstands, thinking that Jesus is looking ahead to the last
day. But, despite her confusion, Martha expresses deep faith in Jesus.
We
didn’t hear the rest of the story.
Jesus
next encounters Martha’s sister Mary who also expresses faith in Jesus. But,
she weeps. And the people around her weep. And, Jesus himself began to weep.
Jesus,
the Son of God, experiences – knows – the profound sadness and grief we feel
when someone we love dies.
And
then Jesus performs his greatest sign of all – raising the dead man who had
been in the tomb four days.
Hope
conquers grief. Love is stronger than death.
The
raising of Lazarus is one of the most important moments in Jesus’ sacred journey.
Maybe, in a sense, it’s a moment when Jesus recognizes more clearly who he
really is – understands better the nature of his life and his mission.
Maybe
it’s a moment when Jesus recognizes that his own life would end in a way
leading many to believe that all hope was lost. But, three days later, through
the empty tomb the whole world would someday come to know that hope is stronger
than grief and love conquers death.
Now,
Juney’s sacred journey – his sacred journey from Antigua to Jersey City and
back to Antigua – has come to an end.
Along
the way of Juney’s sacred journey, I’m sure like all of us he made some
mistakes, turned left when he should’ve turned right, disappointed others and
even let himself down.
But,
along the way of Juney’s sacred journey it’s obvious that he brought much joy
and fun to so many people both here and back on Antigua.
And,
along the way of Juney’s sacred journey, he gave life to six children and five
children.
Now,
Juney’s sacred journey has come to an end, back home on Antigua, but really
back in the full presence and glory of the God who imagined him, created him
and loved him through the bad times and the good times.
But,
for us, the sacred journey continues.
So,
as we grieve, as we remember and celebrate Juney, may we also stop and pay
attention to our own lives.
May
we remember that we are all on a sacred journey filled with lots of twists and
turns – a sacred journey from God back to God.
Amen.
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