Life, Death, and a lil in between.

Recently I attended a funeral as part of my parish placement. Seems like a simple enough task, show up, don't get in the way, robe and observe as part of ones educational experience. What was not forthcoming in this preparation was any thought that the death of a stranger could be move one to a sense of real loss.

The funeral ticked along as one might expect in a Church, excellent prayers, music and setting, and led with real respect and dignity. Then one of the congregation got up and gave the eulogy - and excellent eulogy and introduction to the deceased for those who knew her not. That's when it struck me - my loss is in not having met this wonderful child of God.

Upon some further reflection and thought it struck me - when one of God's children dies, all of creation cries out in rejoicing at the person's homecoming, likewise, the children of God, though they may not know it, weep at the loss of another child of God - tears that will be turned to the rejoicing that can only be found in Christ.