Introduction

This is a memorial service homily I preached at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Beatrice, Neb., on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009.

Readings

1 Chronicles 17:10b-15
Psalm 121
2 Corinthians 5:1-5
John 14:1-6

Message

From the stories Loren’s family shares,
it is clear that he had a calling to build.
Across the nation,
communities benefit from his handiwork
as children enter schools to seek knowledge
and people of all ages go to hospitals in search of healing.

A calling to build is one with deep roots
and spiritual connections.
The Scriptures are filled with passages
that tell us about building,
especially when God is the architect,
the general contractor,
and the strong arm on the job site.

Nathan’s prophetic speech to David—
“I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house”
(1 Chronicles 17:10b, NRSV)—
reminds us that God makes and keeps his promises,
including his vow to build a house
in which the Messiah, the chosen One,
the Son of David, our Lord Jesus Christ,
will gather us all around his feet in worship.

And while we sense Loren’s absence
and mourn his dying,
we can be comforted by knowing
he has taken his place around the throne
in the house of God.

Perhaps he is checking out God’s design and construction
as he waits for his loved ones to join in worship.

And then St. Paul compares the “earthly tent”—
our sometimes frail and fragile lives—
with the “building from God,
a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1, NRSV)

This reminds us that while our lives, like canvas,
sometimes can be whipped by the winds
and pulled off their poles by this world’s storms,
the life we know awaits us with God
is strong and sturdy,
built upon the eternal foundation
of the love of the Father for the Son in their Spirit.

For now, we live in hope of entering this house,
trusting in faith that God will open the door for us.
And when we pass through the entry,
all whom we have loved and who have died before us,
including Loren,
will rise to greet us in the foyer of God’s home.

And so, we have these images, these promises from God,
that he includes us in his master plan for the heavenly city.
As Jesus assures his followers,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1, NRSV)

It’s natural to wonder, to doubt, to worry
about the fate of loved ones who die
and about our sometimes rickety faith in God.
But by God’s grace, his gift to us,
we can trust that Jesus’ promise is for us and for Loren:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.” Amen.
(John 14:6, NRSV)