Eulogy For Godfather

The news December 5th brought to our ears, the news that Steven had died, was news none of us were expecting, at least not yet. We knew the sad news of that day would come, but not yet; maybe ten or fifteen years down the road. After all, that’s the way we think it is supposed to work. We know there are accidents and mishaps, but generally, we think the death of our loved ones is way off – in the distant future. And so, when the unexpected happens, like that of two Mondays past, we’re tempted to resign ourselves to the teaching which pervades our culture: that death is just a natural part of life. If that is so, why then do we mourn; why then do we weep? If death is just a natural part of life, why then does today feel wrong? For it does. And …show more content…
God—the Creator of the world, indeed, Steven’s Creator—knows far better than we do just how wrong today is, which is why He has done something about it. And so the Father sent His Son into this world, had Him take on our flesh in the womb of the Virgin; which is why there’s a Christmas. Christmas isn’t about boosting the economy, or of expressing one’s bounteousness; it’s not just a time for getting together with our families, or of making merry. We have Christmas because God, from eternity, saw this day, and He would not let this day stand; would not let this day be the end. And so He sent His Son, who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit (Nicene Creed), and born of the Virgin Mary (Apostles’ Creed). Because of today, and days like today, Jesus became Man, and lived perfectly – lived without sin, that He might go to the Cross and suffer and die for our sins and reconcile us back to His Father, that we might live with Him forever. Jesus, God in the Flesh Himself, faced down death. And He did so for His Steven. Hear again what Jesus says of Steven: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Steven heard the voice of his Shepherd, loved to hear it, heard it in the preaching of His Word and the administration of His Sacraments. Christ Jesus most certainly knows His Steven, and Steven follows Jesus. Christ Jesus came down into this world, came into the same stuff as we, precisely so that …show more content…
In a sense, Steven experienced death right then, for, in holy Baptism, he was buried with Christ Jesus in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, Steven too might live a new life. (Romans 6:4). The death of Steven’s body is simply Steven following Christ into death. And now, since Steven [has] been united together in the likeness of Jesus’ death, {he shall certainly be united with Him} in [the Resurrection]. (Romans 6:5 {esv}). Behold, I tell you a mystery: Steven is not dead. He lives. Just as surely as Christ Jesus lives, so too does Steven live. His soul has left his body, and has gone on to receive his eternal reward, not because of anything he did; not because he was, in himself, good or righteous, but because—and only because—he was found righteous through the atoning sacrifice (1 John 2:2a niv) of Christ Jesus in his place. These mortal, perishable, remains which we lay to rest today shall be resurrected. They shall be perfected. For the same Jesus who claimed Steven as His own dear sheep also said of Steven: “I give [him] eternal life, and [he] shall never perish, {and no one} shall snatch [him] out of My hand.” {esv}. Do you hear how defiant Christ Jesus is, how He looks at the wrongness of this day, and all days like this, and He shouts death down. “No, death, you don’t get to keep Steven, you