SermonStudio

This meditation was delivered at a memorial service for a young man of nineteen whose death was caused by cancer. The words of remembrance were delivered by an uncle, a sister, a close friend, and a neighbor/employer. These were prepared prior to the service and delivered to the pastor. The aim of the meditation was to bring everything together, provide a theological perspective, and seal the service with a word of hope.

Thank you William, Susan, Adam, and Jonathan. You have, through your words, made Scott present to us. In your words we could hear him, see him, recognize him, and say "Amen."

There is a common thread running through your words. Whether one knew Scott for a long time, a short time, in either an intimate or casual way, he had a way of touching your life. He was a remarkable person that way. He had a unique facility in his approach to others - adults, children, any age. Rapport was instantaneous.

Far-ranging interests certainly were a part of that. Scott wanted to know about things of importance and interest to others. About two weeks ago he threw me for a loop while I was visiting with him at the hospital. "Tell me," he asked out of the blue, "how does a minister write a sermon week after week?" "How are they planned and prepared?" Very quickly he had me into a conversation on sermon preparation. I began to warm up to the subject. Suddenly I thought to myself, "Why, he's got me talking." Scott had that facility. The element of surprise was part of him.

But, I want to leave the present for the moment. I want to jump back into the past. It is not a disconnected jump. The reflections I have just offered lead my thoughts.

I have a text. I told Scott I always have to have a text. So, I know he expects it. It is a text that came into my mind while thinking about Scott and your words. It is a text many of you can identify with, especially in terms of your own experience with Scott.

So, step back in time with me for a moment. We are in the city of Jerusalem some two thousand years ago. Another young man, Jesus of Nazareth, stumbles under a cross that has been thrust upon him. There occurs a small drama within the larger drama. Let Mark tell us:

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

Oh, there is a story there! Mark tells us Simon is the father of Rufus and Alexander. These were evidently two well-known members in the community for which Mark wrote, That the sons of Simon were in the church around the year A.D. 50 can only mean that Simon became a follower of Jesus. Evidently, something happened to Simon under the cross. He who was sent in to help ended up being the one helped.

Now, step back into the present, keeping in mind the experience of Simon. Every now and then life confronts us with occasions when unexpectedly we are thrust under a cross that another is bearing. If you are a friend, then fondness, friendship, and love compel you to respond. How can you be of help? What can you say or do besides just being present?

If you are a clergy person, you are compelled not only by human feeling, but also by the imperatives of a helping profession. And all of us, clergy or lay, think we have to be answer persons. But, what human box of brains knows all the answers? Too often we give bad answers!

We learn that it is best not to say anything at all. We discover that the person under the cross is not asking any questions. At least, he is not asking the kind of questions we expect -
the why questions.

Scott had a question. He wanted to know about the writing of sermons. As I sat there talking, suddenly it hit me. I wasn't giving. I was receiving. Ministry had been reversed!

I was learning something about the grandeur and resources of the human spirit. I know that all of you had the same experience when you were around Scott. You went to help and you were helped. You went to hearten and you were heartened. I came away from Scott knowing I had been in the presence of courage and spiritual strength. Something else was present - something from beyond ourselves; rather, I should say, Someone from beyond ourselves!

That is what Simon encountered. That is what those of you encountered who "played Simon" to Scott. You found yourselves being deeply influenced. This is indeed a service of thanksgiving for those of us who had the opportunity to be touched by this wonderful young man.

Length of years has nothing to do with the meaning or fulness of a life. Henry Fonda spoke a powerful line in a play entitled The Oldest Living Graduate. His alma mater was inviting him back to receive recognition as the school's oldest living graduate. He was cantankerous and refused. He said, "So what ... there is an oldest living everything! Just being the oldest living graduate doesn't mean a thing."

Scott in his life evoked more fondness and response from people than others might do in a lifetime. Yes, this is a service of thanksgiving and celebration!