October 12, 2010
Call Together
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
The Apostle Paul said, “If we live, we live in the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)
Let us pray. Creator God, we acknowledge that, like grass, we flourish briefly and fade all too soon. Today we remember the departure from this earthly life, Kenny Hee whom we have known and loved. In spite of our faith in your power and in your love, our sense of loss is real. Come to us, we pray, in power and in love. In the midst of fading grass and fading lives, remind us of the things that cannot perish—your living Word, Jesus the Christ, our unfading Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Sharing: Share a thought about Kenny Hee.
Kenny and Zacchaeus
In the Bible, there’s a very familiar story about a tax collector named, Zacchaeus. Children sing the little song about Zacchaeus climbing a sycamore tree when Jesus came by because he was a wee little man. People in those days like today don’t really like tax collectors. We put up with them rather than invite them over to our home for dinner. We especially despise them if they were dishonest and collected more than what was owe. Kenny grew up at our church and probably sang the children’s song about Zacchaeus.
When I heard about Kenny’s passing, I remembered that Fred, Gayle, and Pam had a younger brother. We didn’t see him very often but we knew he was their little brother. Some of his nieces and nephews kept in touch with their uncle even when his siblings couldn’t. He didn’t show up for family gatherings and important events. You were disappointed that he didn’t come when his own mother’s funeral was taking place. It was almost like he didn’t exist in your life; especially when your lives are filled with parties, church activities, travels, and agendas. For Kenny, he chose a life of being by himself and what seems like far away from all the hustles and bustles of life.
We believe that God created every person in his own image out of love. We are brought into this world because of the loving relationship our parents had for each other. But once we are in this world, God has given us also the gift of choice and making our own decisions. This ability to choose what we like to eat, who to spend time with, the kind of job that may become a life’s vocation, and the lifestyle we like to live is treasured by human beings. Some choose a very active and interactive life that involves lots of people. Others choose a more private and solitary life that includes a very small circle of friends if that. But this ability to live a life according to one’s own wishes is something we respect even when there are times when we don’t understand. Kenny chose to live a very private and solitary life.
There is no such thing as a “good age to die.” Some people live a very long life and may still end up being bitter and unhappy. Others live a rather shorter life and in their time, they have lived a full and abundant life already. There’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about when Kenny passed at the age of 56 years old. This was his time and we give thanks for the fact that he was with us for these many years. Since God is the one who gave us time, it is always holy. When Kenny died, it was a holy day.
When I thought and prayed for this time that we are having today, I thought about Kenny and Zacchaeus having things in common. Zacchaeus was probably someone who lived by himself and did not have too many friends. But Jesus saw him up in the sycamore tree and because of his interests in seeing Jesus when he came through town, Jesus recognized Zacchaeus as one of God’s children. Zacchaeus was no longer a despised and an un-respected man. Jesus knew him and wanted to be in his company.
We believe that God knows Kenny even if Kenny didn’t say he knew God. God does not forget or abandon his children. God wants to be in the company of Kenny. While Kenny in this life didn’t spend a lot of time with you as a family when you wanted him to, he is still your brother and his life will continue to be a part of your family history as long as you claim him as your brother, uncle, an avid collector of baseball cards and comic books, and a child made in the image of God.
In this time together, set aside your questions that have no satisfying answers and let God answered them in God’s own time. Let go of any guilt or shame that you may harbor and recognize that Kenny chose the life he had and for that, it’s okay. This family is strong and faithful; this I know. And in God’s eyes you are his beloved and what we are doing here lets us acknowledge that Kenny was our brother and will always be your brother in your family history so that you can begin living a good and abundant life once again.
Just as Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9-10), we believe that God who made Kenny in his own image is no longer lost but is saved to be with God in Christ’s grace and mercy.
Committal
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we commend to God’s merciful care our brother, Kenny Hee; and we commit his remains to this final resting place: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
“Blessed are the dead, who…die in the Lord…they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.” (Rev. 14:13)
Let us pray.
God of grace and mercy, comfort and assure us with the knowledge that Kenny Hee is with you, at peace in your eternal love and care. As we go forth from this place, grant us faith in your goodness, faith in guiding wisdom and faith in your everlasting promise, through your Son, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Benediction
The psalmist said, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. (31:24)
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen. (Numbers 6:24-26)