Richard Paul Wilbert Funeral Homily 9/17/2011

Richard Paul Wilbert Funeral Homily
9/17/2011
St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Elyria
Rev. Catherine L. Wright

Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 139
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9
John 14:1-6

On behalf of Richard’s family, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for being here today, and for the prayers, and calls and the many ways you have walked with the Wilbert family during this last week and a half in particular.

I have heard it said- it is hard work bringing people into and out of this world. Birth and death. Not easy, things often don’t go as expected. But when you can get past the stressful parts of both, they are often beautiful, grace filled events. Richard death, I believe, had many grace filled, beautiful moments. His family knew it was coming. He knew it was coming. He was able to tell them each that he loves them, and that he loved everybody. It had never been easy for him to say those words, but the final days were that opportunity.

Richard had many titles. He was called a husband, father, Grumpa to his grandchildren. He was called the milkman, pump operator and even occasionally Dick. But the most important title he had is one we all carry, every person on this earth- Child of God.

As many of you are aware, I have a new child. My daughter Sarah is just over 7 months old. Many of you may have seen her last night, at the visitation. The Wilberts have definitely seen her- she has joined me on visits to see Richard in the hospital, she is around this place after services on Sundays. But don’t try and hold her. She is at that age where she will smile at you a bunch, but she only lets a few of us hold her without the tears coming on. She knows who she is safe with and the rest of you she is not so sure of.

I had not expected to be able to take her so many places and to have it work. With my older children my primary job was them- not a congregation. And I know our days of gallivanting around together are numbered- once she is mobile she will not be happy riding around in her stroller and I will not be happy with her running loose through hospitals and hospice centers. But for now, she finds that many places are just fine with this new person being there. She belongs in a way that has delighted and surprised me. She is welcomed, accepted, cherished.

Richard also had these worries: Who am I safe with? Where do I belong?

He knew that if Linda, his beloved wife of 52 years, was around he was okay. So making sure she was around took lots of his time. The cell phones were buzzing if she was not in sight! And I kept hearing about his snacks, all lined up on a tray. I will be okay as long as there are things for me to eat, now and something for later.

He was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, married at St. Andrew’s and this was his home parish. But his family knew he never really felt like he belonged here or at any other church. This was Linda and the children’s place- he would rather be at work or catching a game. We all know folks like that- perhaps you are like that. Just waiting to see if the roof is going to cave in because you have walked through the door. Let me reassure you- This congregation is almost 175 years old, and there are no reports of a person’s presence causing any structural troubles.

Sarah’s room was prepared for her as we anticipated her arrival. The grandparents and the congregation too, buying and making and fixing to get all things ready. Some of the people she will never really know: gifts from members who die too soon for her to know, cribs from friends we don’t keep in close contact with. But all played a part, all made the way ready.

So it is with Jesus. He is the way, and the truth and the life and it is by him that Richard and each of us have a place forever- this is true whether we feel very comfortable in this church and service, or are trying to figure out how we came to be here today. Whether Jesus is someone we spend a great amount of time with or someone we aren’t sure exists at all. For all of us, the promise is made, the preparations completed. In our Gospel read today, Jesus tells his followers not to let their hearts be troubled, not to worry. He will go and prepare a place for them. For each of them and for each of us. A place where, as our first lesson reminded us, death has been swallowed up and a wonderful banquet prepared- much more than a few snacks lined up on a tray table. This is a place where Richard, and all of us, belongs and it is with God, finally, that we can rest in peace, secure in the hands of the one who created each of us and loves us more than we can begin to imagine. Richard belongs and is safe- thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.