Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

Although this post has nothing to do with Ann’s Blog I can all but guarantee that its inspiration comes from the same glorious question and answer in the Heidelberg Catechism (Q/A #1). Of all the individual statements in our standards none have been as meaningful to me, and none more applicable to the past several days.

It started Sunday (although I didn’t know it.) A dear member of my congregation, Bob, left our morning service the same way he always did: by shaking my hand and saying “good job - keep up the good work.” (Although few would have guessed him to be a man of many words, he was a source of consistent of support and encouragement.) By Monday morning, he was in the hospital. Wednesday, at about 1:00, he died.

He hasn’t been the epitome of health, but just a few days ago no one would have thought we’d be burying him tomorrow morning. What is our only comfort? That we are not our own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful savior Jesus Christ. Bob knew that comfort. His wife knew it. His two sons and daughter knew it. After the privledge of spending (off and on) three days with them in the hospital - I am once again reminded of it.

As odd as this sounds, I look forward to the funeral. Few opportunities, even as a pastor, give me the chance to openly celebrate the faith of the people I’ve grown to love. Few situations, outside of hospitals and deathbeds, exhibit the hope and joy such faith can truly give.

So, at 11:00 tomorrow morning, I will call us to worship with the words we use every Sunday morning: Our help is in the name of the Lord….

Everything is in the name of the Lord, without whom we would have no existence - without whom we would have nothing. Bob knew this. That means that tomorrow we will celebrate. Not that he is gone (that is certainly nothing to celebrate) but that he is home.

What comfort.

Grace and Peace,
`tim

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