Living life

The funeral of John Bailey, 24/1/2011: John 14:1-6, Romans 8:35-39, Psalm 20

John seems to have faced death

in much the same way as he faced life

with a sense of resignation

not sadness, or disappointment

but a commitment to live as best he could

Amidst all this he seems to have had a straightforward faith

Which is echoed in the readings:

“Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God”

and that in following Jesus as best we can we will know the Way, the Truth and indeed the Life

This is a mystery that challenges us all

and indeed invites us to enter in to what God is offering.

John knew, I think, that this invitation

to live life involved

Forgiveness of others and being prepared to admit the need of forgiveness for himself.

Not to seek reward for good behaviour

but to continue to live…as best you can

This seemed to come out of a confidence

in God

and a commitment. to take that relationship seriously.

As each of us stands before John’s dead body today

We are challenged to make the same journey

To recognise that nothing separates us from God and that Jesus offers to us the Way to true life.

To seek forgiveness for ourselves

and to extend that to others

And to trust ourselves to Go, in life as in death.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord