into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being…"
(Genesis 2:7)
I just returned from the cemetery. It seems we've had a lot of funerals
this summer --- and yet while the words we share are much the same, the
story of the one who died always differs in detail. And sometimes the
actual events of the day differ, too….
After sharing in the service at the funeral home we traveled in procession
to Elmwood Cemetery here in Sycamore. We shared those ever so brief words
of commendation over the casket. Three children and a daughter-in-law
were seated in the chairs. Twenty or so grandchildren and great
grandchildren stood behind them --- mostly under the tent which had been
provided. I finished speaking and the funeral director began to pluck
roses out of the casket spray to give to the family. Usually people will
shift and stand and begin to move towards their cars, only this time no
one moved. It's my practice to stay at the graveside until the family
returns to their cars. It is also true for the funeral directors who are
present. Several minutes passed until finally, the funeral director asked
if the family would like to stay and watch the casket be lowered down
into the ground. They decided to do just that.
And so we waited for the person who normally does this to go back and
change clothes. When he returned, it was clear that he had done this a
thousand times… even as people have done this countless times through
history: only the machinery of burial has changed over time. I was
struck by the silence of those gathered only interrupted by the creaking
of the mechanism as slowly the casket was lowered into the vault and the
cover placed on the vault and then the whole thing was lowered in the
ground. I noticed next the grass turning to dirt as it was lowered ---
and how harsh and clean that cut in the ground was. Next I saw that those
who had dug the grave had cut through tree roots to make room for the one
we were laying to rest there… and while the body would be protected from
the elements, I could already imagine those roots extending around that
vault in the not too far distant future.
As we stood and watched together in silence, I couldn't help but think of
how short our human life is. At the same time I was struck by how we are
a part of all that is around us. Created from the earth itself, one day we
will return to it.
We don't think of these things often, I suppose. Surely in the wake of the
death of a dear one, we might --- but even then we rush to move on to
return to life as we have known it. It would seem morbid to many to dwell
on it too long, and yet it is the reality of our lives here. We are those
who have been created --- along with all the rest of God's amazing world.
And we are on loan to the world and receive God's precious on loan for the
time that we are given.
It is a fragile, tender, precious thing this life that we've been given.
And it is powerful, too, for God has breathed God's own breath into our
being. When we stand at gravesides we may be reminded of the shortness of
it. Surely as we look across the way at one another--- also tenderly
created by a loving God --- we would do well to remember the same. Always
remembering that this is all a gift. And always, always living as though
that were so. And what a difference we can make to and for and with one
another while we are here. And for this whole created world of which we
are a part.
Peace to you and many blessings…
Pastor Janet
Coming up this week at Salem:
Sunday at 9:15 in Fellowship Hall, we continue our walk through the
Genesis stories by taking a look at Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-8). Be
sure to join us if you can.
Drop off your donated school supplies for area children by July 31st so
they can be distributed by Sycamore Federated Church in a timely manner.
Remember last Sunday's challenge to pray that hunger would come to an end
here in Sycamore. Stop by Salem to pick up a list of sample prayers you
might use!
