March 9, 2012, 1:00 PM
National Golden Gate Cemetery, San Bruno, CA
Opening Words
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).
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:16).
The Psalmist said, “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (16:11).
Meditation—Walking in the Light
Read: 1 John 1:1-7. John the disciple is writing to the early church about what he has seen and heard about Jesus Christ. He tells them that when we walk in the light of God, we also have fellowship with one another.
When Mae Lee walked upon this earth, she was walking in the light of God. In her life story, she shared about the time when she was about 16 years old when China was under siege. The middle school where she attended was no longer safe and she had to find her way home to her grandfather’s village. With little money and luggage in hand, she journeyed home but became so tired that she stopped at a nearby village. The next day, she discovered that if she didn’t stop, she would have met up with the invaders. On another day, she missed a boat and she was thankful afterward when she learned that the boat sank. When she finally arrived home, her grandfather told her that the whole family was praying for her safe return.
Mae Lee made many journeys in her life and God was watching out for her because she was walking in the light of God knowing that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior that gave her life complete joy. Today, Mae Lee has made her final journey on earth confidently believing that she has already made her safe journey to her eternal home in heaven with her Creator.
In this passage from 1 John, it says, “if we walk in the light as he himself, Jesus Christ, is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” As we gather together today, March 9 which would have been her 90th birthday, we are joined in fellowship with one another. Christ has broken down any barriers or separations that we may have in order that we can be in fellowship together.
As a family, walk in the light of Christ just as Mae Lee walked her entire life in the light of Christ. The light of Christ will cast out any darkness that you may have. When you do this, your joy will be complete in this life and the life beyond.
The prophet Isaiah said, “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faith” (40:31).
Committal
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we commend to God’s merciful care our sister, Mae M. Lee; and we commit her body 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, our Maker, you made our sister, Mae M. Lee, in your own image; you set her feet on a life journey; you watched over her along the way. As you lovingly received and welcomed her to the ranks of the redeemed, we pray that you would continue to guide our journey steps so that, as the appointed time, we might join Mae M. Lee in the communion of saints—forgiven, transformed, and fit for our new life with the Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. (Psalm 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)