LAZARUS

WHEN JESUS FIRST HEARD THE WORD
THAT HIS FRIEND LAZARUS HAD DIED
HE CRIED

NO PLATITUDES
NO EASY SAYING OF HIS BEING IN A BETTER PLACE
NO REMINDERS OF ETERNAL LIFE

HE CRIED
AS ONLY ONE WHO LOVES
AS DEEPLY AS HE LOVES
COULD CRY
HE CRIED

HE FELT THE DEEP
AND EVER WIDENING CHASM
OF SEPARATION

HE FELT THAT THE SOUL OF HIS FRIEND
WAS LIKE A SHIP LEAVING THE SHORE
SENDING BACK RIPPLES OF REMEMBRANCE
SENDING BACK ECHOES OF OLD CONVERSATIONS
SENDING THEM BACK WITH NO WAY TO ANSWER

PEACE WOULD COME LATER
AND RESIGNATION

BUT FOR THE INSTANT
THERE WAS PAIN
TEARS
THE GREAT UNKNOWING
AND TO NEED TO WEEP.



MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST
KENNY IS NOT DEAD
HE DIED
HE LIVES IN GOD
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR NOW
HE LIVES IN US

LET US PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF CONSOLATION
AS BARBARA READS FOR US PSALM 23
1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3
He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever


AS I SAID BEFORE
KENNY IS NOT DEAD
HE DIED

HE LIVES ON IN THE MEMORIES
EACH OF US HAVE OF HIM

I ASK HIS MOTHER
FRIENDS OR FAMILY
TO SHARE WITH US NOW THOSE MEMORIES

***********PAUSE FOR SHARING AND SOLO**********************

IN THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS
WE FEEL THAT WE ARE GUARANTEED
A CERTAIN NUMBER OF YEARS OF LIFE
SO THAT WHEN A MOTHER BURIES A CHILD
WE FEEL CHEATED

BUT LIFE HAS TAUGHT US
THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF DAYS OF LIFE
SO WHAT LESSON DO WE HAVE FROM KENNY'S LIFE
WHAT LESSON WOULD HE
ASK US TO LEARN
IF HE WERE HERE WITH US

THE LESSON WOULD BE
THAT LIFE IS PRECIOUS
AND UNPREDICTABLE
AND THAT WHILE WE HAVE OUR LOVED ONES NEAR US
WE SHOULD TELL THEM
WE LOVE THEM

WE SHOULD HOLD THEM CLOSE
WEEP WITH THEM
LAUGH WITH THEM
KISS THEM AND SAY
I LOVE YOU

WOULD YOU NOW IN KENNY'S NAME
EXCHANGE WITH EACH OTHER
A SIGN OF LOVE AND AFFECTION


MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
WE WILL SCATTER KENNY'S REMAINS
OVER THIS PROPERTY WHICH HE LOVED
AND THEY WILL BE TAKEN UP AND BECOME LIVING THINGS

BUT FOR US THE LIVING
LET US LIVE IN PEACE
WITH THE SURE KNOWLEDGE
THAT GOD'S LOVE IS FAR GREATER
THAN OUR ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND IT

THAT KENNY LIVES IN OUR HEARTS
AND IN THE BOSOM OF GOD
THAT KENNY IS FINALLY AT REST

AMEN AMEN AMEN