St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Owings Mills MD
November 20, 2023
The Funeral of Alexander “Sandy” Martin
John 14:1-6a
Easter For Sandy
Looking out at the church just before I read the gospel lesson, I thought, “This looks just like Easter!”
And that’s what today is: Easter for Sandy.
The setting of the Bible passage that I read is the Last Supper.
Jesus has gathered with his closest friends for one, final meal.
Jesus had been predicting his death for some time but his friends could not – or would not – accept that someone they loved so much was going to die.
We know only too well what that’s like.
But at the table one last time, the hard truth was beginning to sink in.
And so, with time running out, Jesus teaches his friends a few most important lessons.
He gets up from the table and washes their feet, shocking them, teaching them that this is how we are to love one another, by serving each other.
Jesus blesses the bread and wine and says that this is his body and blood and that he will be with us each time we are at the table and we remember him.
And, finally, as we heard today, Jesus tries to reassure his friends that he is going on ahead to prepare a place for them – a place for us – where we will all someday be reunited.
And, not only that, Jesus says we know the way to the place where he is going.
It’s only our friend St. Thomas who is honest enough, bold enough, to admit, “Lord, we do not know the way to the place where you are going.”
And then Thomas asks, “How can we know the way?”
And Jesus gives the answer, “I am the way.”
For us, Jesus is the way – and the way of Jesus is giving away our lives in love and service.
Jesus is the way but the way of Jesus is not a one-size-fits-all way.
Just like all the saints of God in the charming hymn that we sang today – each of us has to discover our own unique way along the way.
That’s the challenge and adventure of faith and life.
As we’ve heard so powerfully in today’s beautiful remembrances, our beloved brother Sandy walked the way of Jesus by being an amazingly loving husband, father, and grandfather.
And Sandy walked the way of Jesus by being a loyal and faithful friend.
I’m sorry that I knew Sandy for much less time than probably all of you, but he touched my life, too.
Sandy and Beaumont were two of the first St. Thomas’ people that my wife Sue and I met, even before we moved here.
Beaumont and Glen Cole were a two-person transition team, given the job to get us ready for our move to Maryland.
One time, we were having a Zoom meeting when suddenly Sandy leaned into the picture, beside Beaumont. He said,
“Hey, Tom! Do you play golf?”
I said, “No, I’m sorry, I don’t.”
And immediately I thought, oh geez, I haven’t even gotten there yet and I’ve already disappointed this guy.
But, as you all know, Sandy was an excellent reader of people and he had a very quick wit.
And so without missing a beat, he said to me, “Good! You’re lucky. Golf’s an expensive hobby. You’re saving a lot of money!’
I immediately felt better.
And I also learned a lot about Sandy in that moment: his sensitivity, his kindness, and his sense of humor.
Later, Sandy and Beaumont gave us a memorable tour of the neighborhood, driving us out into the country, pointing out where Sandy had grown up, taking pride in all the natural beauty, and, I think also having some fun with two city people who were a little stunned by a place that seemed to have way more horses than people.
Sandy and Beaumont embraced us as new friends – what a great gift.
Later, there were a couple of times when Sandy and I had some pretty serious conversations about faith – it’s safe to say that, probably like all of us, he had some questions to ask God about why things are the way they are.
The last time I saw Sandy – a couple of weeks ago - he was not feeling well at all.
But even then, he was still very much himself – asking me how I was doing, how things were going at the church, how was the fundraising going?
And, for him, the hardest part of all of this – much harder than illness itself – was the idea of leaving behind his beloved family – his family, which was truly the greatest gift he ever gave - the greatest gift he ever received.
That was how Sandy walked the way of Jesus.
And now, Sandy’s beautiful journey along the way has come to an end.
He has slipped into the safe and secure arms of the God who dreamed him up in the first place, shared him with all of us, and loved and supported him throughout his life.
But, for us, the journey continues until we are reunited.
Fortunately, thanks to Jesus, and thanks to Sandy, we know the way.
Amen.
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