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A public vocation

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Funeral: Death of a public servant AS WE GATHER to celebrate the life of [name of the deceased], let us take a few moments to look at the vocation of a “public servant,” because [name of the deceased] was certainly that—a public servant. For while we are all called by virtue of our Baptism to serve our fellow humans, some of us do it more “publicly” than others. And certainly [name of the deceased] was one of those. [Name some of the ways the person served publicly.] In the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46), Jesus is direct and unambiguous about how we are to be judged. It was surprising to most at the time (and still surprising to many if not most people today) that Jesus’ standard for our final judgment is not how well we followed the rules (important as that may be) but rather what we did—especially for those less fortunate than we are. Here is how Jesus set up the final judgment in the parable: “The king will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” And why are they “blessed by Jesus’ Father”? Really quite simple: They did what we are all called to do—they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited people who were incarcerated. Most of us, however, do that only or mostly in our private lives—with our family and friends and neighbors, with those who are part of our church or our group, maybe with people we work with. Sometimes we might even give some money to a cause that helps people we don’t even know. But we properly do that privately, quietly, sometimes even anonymously. And that is enough to get us into heaven if we do. Jesus promised it would. But public servants can't and don't do it privately, quietly, anonymously. By definition! That’s why they are called public servants. But public servants can't and don't do it privately, quietly, anonymously. By definition! That’s why they are called public servants. It’s a tough vocation, being a public servant. It’s difficult for some very real reasons that most of us don’t have to contend with in our own work or lives. Consider: What public servants do is subject to constant scrutiny. In many ways, their lives are an open book because—you know—they are doing their jobs in public! And that scrutiny has only grown because of social media and cable TV. What public servants have to do is often controversial, maybe more now than it has ever been, at least in our lifetimes. Public servants have to care for everyone in their jurisdiction, not just the people they know or even just the people they like. They sometimes have political rivals or even enemies. They sometimes make mistakes, like all the rest of us do, except theirs are made—you know—in public! Public servants don’t get to treat everyone the same, because some people have more needs than others: Some are more hungry, some more thirsty, some are immigrants—even undocumented—some don’t have anything to wear or a place to live or are sick or in trouble with the law. The public servant must be the servant of the public—which means everyone, not just some of us. And public servants aren’t using their own resources to help others, they are using public resources, so they have to be even more careful that they are using them wisely. So here today, we celebrate one of our wonderful public servants, [name of deceased], who did what all of us have to do in our private life ... but also chose and was chosen to do it in their public life as well. “Then the king will say to them, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Amen.

Authors Gregory F. Augustine Pierce

funeral Death of a public servant

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What will separate us from the love of Christ?

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Funeral: Victim of suicide Scripture: Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39: What could separate us from the love of Christ? [1014-5 (790-6)] WE ARE HERE TODAY because of the tragic and bewildering death of our [brother/sister] in Christ, N. Many of us are experiencing a complex mix of emotions—shock, grief, anger, and disbelief. The news that N. is no longer with us takes time to sink in. Maybe you’ve been imagining alternate scenarios to the one we’re in now. For instance, could you have said something to N. or done something that would have caused things to be different today? Could someone else have intervened with N. in some way? Could N. have chosen to act that day in a way that preserved their life, rather than in a way that resulted in us being here, mourning the loss of someone so dear to us? I want to begin this sermon with three important points that I know someone needs to hear. First: This is not your fault. Second: This is not someone else’s fault. And finally: This is not N.’s fault. As humans, when our lives have been shattered, we want to know why. We might be tempted to blame someone or something for the situation. And we may have some sense of why. [If appropriate, acknowledge the overwhelming pain of a mental or physical health struggle, etc.] But the truth is, even if we think we know what caused N. to end their life, only God knows what was on their heart and in their mind in their last moments. We will never fully know. And that adds to our pain. There is something we do know, however. We hear it repeatedly in scripture, and it’s something we heard here today, in the second reading. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that nothing will separate us from the love of God. Not death, not anguish, not distress. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that nothing will separate us from the love of God. Not death, not anguish, not distress—his list encompasses forces that are as powerful today as they were in biblical times. Paul assures us that Christ can overcome all of these challenges and deliver us—and N.—into the safety and peace of God’s merciful and steadfast love. Even though scripture is clear about that fact, we may still feel far from God’s love. The pain and suffering of losing N. is real. It’s awful. We don’t just “get over it.” Rather, like Christ, we must transform it. In the Jewish tradition, when someone dies, mourners are told, “May their memory be a blessing.” This saying has become more familiar to people outside Judaism in recent years, and for good reason. Yes, N. has left us—but they have also left us with some cherished memories that will remain with us longer and more deeply than the grief we feel now. I’d like you to take a moment to think of a time with N. that blessed you. [Pause] In the difficult times ahead, let this memory continue to bless you. Let it empower you to connect with other members of N.’s community who may also be struggling in their grief. If you can’t think of a memory right now, I’ll share one [or two] that X and X mentioned to me this week. [Add a brief, positive memory or two from family or close friend—one that won’t be mentioned in the eulogy]. N.’s life mattered. It still matters. N. may no longer be with us, but their influence is. Even as we ache in N.’s absence, the special qualities they shared with us—[again, add specifics: their laugh, their artistic spirit, devotion to a sports team, fashion sense, etc.]—still enrich our life. I want to return to the three points I mentioned earlier: This is not your fault, it’s not someone else’s fault, and it’s not N.’s fault. There’s one last point I want to add. N.’s death is not God’s fault. Death does not come from God. But if you’re a person of faith, you may still find yourself wondering how God could let this happen. It’s OK to be angry at God. God can handle it. God loves us through our anger. As Paul explains, nothing is big enough to separate us from God’s love. That’s true for us here today, and it’s true for N. Going forward, as you work through your pain and anger, draw on the memories of N. that were a blessing to you. Most of all, remember—and help others to know—the truth of God’s healing, redemptive love—love that is available to all. Love that now fully enfolds N.

Authors Heather Grennan Gary

funeral suicide Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

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Take Five for Faith Daily

Wednesday
April 15

That nothing should be wasted

God went to a whole lot of trouble to make the world we know and love. Think of how creation astonishes with its beauty: delicate lilies of the valley, the smell of a pine forest, starry nights, birdsong, your favorite color, the touch of velvet. Would God create so much gorgeous detail for a world that is merely disposable? In the same way, do we each struggle through our personal histories only to be lost in the end? God is in the saving business, intending to rescue the goodness of the old creation for the new one. As Saint Clement says, “The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrise.” Take a moment to praise God by enjoying this glorious new day.

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