October 14, 2022

I’m officiating the funeral of a dear woman today – someone I’ve known and loved for 30 years. Hours before she died, I asked her if there was anything she wanted to tell me or if there was anything she felt she needed. With her characteristic wit she replied, “Yes- a new self.”

That’s a remarkably accurate theological answer. When we die, we are still ourselves; yet we are made new. Paul says it this way. “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:42)

All that is wonderfully you will still be you; all that weighs you down will be cast off forever.

“Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, andthat through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Amen.” (Burial of the Dead – BCP)