Friday 24 October 2014

Vigil Eucharist for Jeremy Suter RIP


 

Thurs 23rd October 2014 7pm  (Gospel: John 6:35-40)


It is fitting that we gather as God’s people in God’s house for Jeremy’s funeral.  We begin with this Eucharist, the time where we share in the eternal bread of life.  Jeremy was at home here in the house of the Lord – we saw him grow up here.  It will seem odd in the future, processing out past the Suter family in the pew halfway down on the left without Jeremy smiling away whilst bellowing out one of his favourite hymns, such as ‘Guide me, O thou great Redeemer’, with its chorus ‘Bread of Heaven, Feed me now and evermore’.  He is a great loss both to our church family, but our corporate loss is as nothing compared to the Suter’s loss and we gathered around them to offer what support we can, together with our love and prayers.

But there is more, that we can offer – and that is our Christian hope.

At every Eucharist - but especially when God’s people gather around someone who has died in the faith - we experience one of those ‘thin places’ where heaven and earth are brought closer for a moment.  This is a moment when heaven and earth meet as we share the spiritual food and drink that is eternal.  The one whom God has called home connects the saints here with the saints in heaven.  For the saints of God hold vigil on both sides of the River of Death, that metaphorical River Jordan through which we must pass to enter the promised land.

On this side, everything we see will pass away – it is temporary.  We sing hymns of faith in Christ as we trust in his conquering of death for us, even though we can’t see across to the other side.  But that is only half of it.  On the other side, our songs are received with a resounding echo.  For that’s where the saints in heaven sing their songs to welcome Jeremy into eternity.  Jesus’ promise to both us and Jeremy is that He would not lose him, but raise him up at the last day.  Jesus is true to His Word and the Father’s will.

Jeremy is now in glory with all the saints who have preceded him, including Margot’s parents.  Jeremy is now having a heavenly reunion, where pain, suffering, sorrow, and tears are no more.  The only tears we see being shed now are ours.  They are the tears we cry as we grieve Jeremy’s passing, but in heaven there are also be tears of joy as they rejoice at his eternal victory, won for him in Christ.

2,000 years ago, Jesus’ dead body was placed in a tomb of death.  On the third day, Jesus left that tomb, showing that death could not hold Him.  And since death can’t hold Jesus, it can’t hold those whom He calls His own, including Jeremy.  As Jesus says, “I will raise him up on the last day.”  Right now, Jeremy’s soul is with Jesus and we look forward to that last day when we will see Jeremy’s resurrection body which replaces this mortal body, as plainly as Mary saw Jesus resurrection body on that first Easter morning.

The cross of Christ has spanned the River of Death to take those who trust in Him to the other side.  As we will sing tomorrow:
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.
Jeremy has now crossed that river, albeit much earlier than any of us would have hoped or expected.  But we can trust Jesus to look after him, to feed him now in this Eucharist and for evermore.

Jesus said: “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”

Even during that fateful weekend just a dozen or so days ago, God was holding Jeremy in His hand.  Jesus never drove him away or lost him.  That is the Father’s will and Jesus promise to us.  On this side of the river, that is our hope.  On Jeremy’s side, it is the everlasting reality.  Amen.

Thursday 9 October 2014

The Spirituality of Running



Sometimes you have to get away from it all, for a bit of space and silence.  As I mentioned in our Growing Leaders Course on Monday, my Rule of Life includes going for a run.  For me, it is not just the natural high of the endorphin rush, but a chance to clear the mind and get closer to God in his creation, even in these darker and damper days of autumn.  Having encouraged others to explore their shadow sides, I decided to reflect with my mood in a bit of poetry, inspired by a 10 mile run around Burnham Beeches:

Running through the forest in rain,
Grounded to earth of ancient paths.
Gradient, traction, each step placed
With pace, breathing and heartbeat fast.

Leaf canopy, oxygen tent:
In a bubble, a womb all mine.
Now fully alive, heightened sense,
Alive to fragrance: fern and pine.

Invisible wind of spirit blows
Confetti of sycamore seeds:
Potential for a whole new wood
Abundant grace for those in need.