Cunning but gentle

Here is the reflection I prepared for the funeral that we celebrated today, a reflection on the life of faith with some inspiration from Saint John Chrysostom.

Funeral homily for John (Jack) Larivière

I would like to begin by publicly expressing my condolences to Anne and to Jack’s children, as well as your families and all of Jack’s friends.  Thank you also to James for the tribute you paid to your father.  Over the past few days, I have learned a few things about Jack, including the fact that he was a very proud man who didn’t suffer fools lightly.  This gained him a certain reputation, but Jack was also very well respected among his colleagues, looked up to by many who were his junior as a man of wisdom, one who had gained their respect.

This was the persona that many people saw on the outside, but what of his heart?  Perhaps no one except for he himself ought venture a judgement in this respect, but let me use the wisdom of Saint John Chrysostom, a holy man, a priest who lived in the fourth century after Christ, to try shedding a bit of light on what the heart of the true believer aims to portray.  In one of his sermons, Saint John spoke of the need for all those who are followers of Jesus to be as cunning as serpents in the ways we live our faith while also as gentle as lambs in the sight of others.  We can do this because we have confidence that when this earthly life comes to an end, we too will gain the reward of everlasting life.

This morning, we are gathered here in this church, people of faith, participating in an act of faith and trust.  The Book of Wisdom reminds us today that the souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God (Wis 3:1).  This is a promise that is made to each one of us from the day of our baptism.  In the eyes of the unwise – that is to say, those who look at the events of this life without the benefit of faith – they seemed to have died … their going thought to be a disaster … (Wis 3:2).  It is true that at a human, emotional level, death is very final.  The history that we have shared with Jack during the many years he lived here on earth has now come to an end, and we now mourn his passing, but his soul is now at peace and he would have us believe nothing else than the fact that all his hopes, rich with immortality (Wis 3:4) have been fulfilled.

Jesus Christ lived, died and rose again.  This is the certainty that we profess by our presence here today.  Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we can also be certain that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus (1 Thes 4:14).  It is our certain hope that when the Lord comes, he will cry out a command … and with the sound of God’s trumpet … those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and we who are alive … will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord (1 Thes 4:16-17).

Our physical separation from Jack is therefore a temporary thing.  One day we will be reunited with him.  Until that time, Jesus encourages us as he also encouraged his first disciples: Do not let your hearts be troubled; believe in God and believe also in Jesus (Jn 14:1).  Having benefitted from the example that was given to us by Jack as he lived his life of service to others - demanding perfection from himself and from others but also maintaining a deep concern for the welfare of his fellow workers, and for the wellbeing of his family and friends - we too must now go from this place to continue the work of caring for others.  We too must continue to look out for those who suffer injustices in our world, and be courageous enough to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.  We too must seek ways to be cunning as we joyfully proclaim good news to those who are downtrodden, those who have been cast aside, and those who are in need of hope, all the while being gentle with ourselves and with others as we invite them to discover the truths we have come to know in faith. 

Do not be afraid to speak of the promise of new life that awaits us, even to those who may be fearful about the future.  Fear is a natural human reaction when we are faced with something we do not understand.  Fear was hidden in the words uttered by Saint Thomas when he voiced the question that was in the hearts of all the disciples as they heard Jesus speaking about his impending suffering and death: But Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way? (Jn 14:5) The answer Jesus gave portrays the confidence of one who is certain of his destiny and confident in the promise of love: I am the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6).  Today, these words are also addressed to us: come to me when you are uncertain about anything and never fear that when I have prepared a place for you in the Father’s house, I will come and take you to myself (Jn 14:3).