A TIME TO MOURN

Now the other side of the story is this, that when Sarah died Abraham mourned for her. Although Abraham is presented to us as a spiritual giant, still his earthly nature remained with him. Sarah had accompanied him on all his journeys, shared in all his trials and was faithful to Abraham until her last breath. No doubt she had enough valid reasons to desert him, especially when she was despised by Hagar-but she stayed. And now she was gone for good and Abraham wept.

I have attended many funerals but one was particular funeral that I attended left me distressed. Christians from a particular group had arrived and proceeded to sing “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!!” accompanied by the music of tambourines’ and guitar. They were rejoicing because according to them, the Bible says- “We must give thanks in all things!!” It really left a bad impression with the non- Christian group. If you ask me- these believers needed to be spanked with a frying pan and sent back out of the funeral house. It is demeaning when the brethren behave like this. More so when the host of the house are from other religions.

The Christian is not called to be an imbecile with an incapacity to mourn. There is a time to mourn. When Jesus heard about the death of Lazarus, he did not dance and celebrate with a guitar and tambourine, crying out “This is the day the Lord hath made!!” He wept when he heard about the death of Lazarus. And that is the human side of Jesus. He was very human. Maybe more human than many of us.

All people regardless of their faith should share in the sorrow of those who have gone before us. And all Christians from whatever denominations should pay their last respects reverently. At every funeral I am reminded that one day I will be there too and so will you. And I certainly don’t want to hear people singing carols at my funeral.

When Paul wrote “We do not grieve like others who have no hope” he was not exhorting us not to grieve. The non-believer grieves because they believe the separation of death is forever and they will not see their loved ones anymore. Christians do not grieve because the Bible assures us that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones in the vast yonder out there some where- called heaven.

At this point please allow me to say a benediction for you, May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, May you live long enough to see your children and your grand children, May your life be blessed upon the earth, May you live a full and wholesome life on the face of the earth, and when the time comes for your departure, may you depart in the presence of your loved ones, who will miss your presence and cherish your memories. And above all may your soul depart boldly, in the full assurance that that you are entering a better world where there is no night.

And may those of you who, because of your earthly connections are few somehow land up in the old folks home, don’t despair. Although there is no record of Jesus visiting any old folk’s home, I believe that God is present there too. May you find some friendly faces there to comfort you in your last days. And if somehow by chance you find out that I am your neighbour, we will drink tea and share many of our experiences , enjoy many quiet days, enjoy the great peace and solitude of old age- and get our hearts ready for the final destination