in memory: Clara Skjerseth

My Grandmother passed away today and I wrote this to be read at her funeral as I will not be able to attend. I thought I would share it with you all.

There is a story being told.
Do you hear it?
The rocks cry out
The trees rejoice
The universe declares it.

It is a grand and glorious narrative
told every moment of every day.

It is God's story.

It is a story of creation and fall
redemption and justice
death and resurrection.

It is a story that we all choose to enter in one way or another. Within this grand narrative, we have a chance to tell our story, to make our voice heard, to testify to God's presence in our lives.

Grandma found her place and told her story. In little ways like silent prayers, hugs and kisses, smiles and letters. And in big ways like joining with others in the Church to partake of Christ's body and blood. Her life testified of her love for Christ and of her love for others, fulfilling the greatest commandments to the best of her ability.

In life, she was a testimony of one beautifully flawed human being who had entered into God's Kingdom on earth, and in death, she continues that Kingdom journey in heaven. And in so doing, she leaves a legacy of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who have added their story to God's and will continue on their journey to someday be joined with her singing "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come."

At this time, I feel the loss that we all feel upon the death of a loved one, but I feel a greater sense of rejoicing that Grandma has entered a more beautiful home, her eternal home, where she is present with the Lord. Saint Paul said to the Corinthians, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord - and in that knowledge, I find great peace.

I want to leave you with a quote from Pope John Paul II
"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song."

I think Grandma would agree.

Lovesong

A screeching violin

An old man plays

So closed off to the world

His ears are deaf to his own vile sound

But in is mind, the music is clear and pure

Sound waves echoing off bare walls

He smiles a toothless grin.

People stopped listening long ago

So he plays to himself

And to the few dying friends who have never heard anything different.

Can we be willing

To turn our screech into a symphony.

Beautiful

Melting the soul and awakening the spirit of all who hear.

For it must tear down walls

And open the vast expanse of the universe.

Harmony and melody of pure beautiful perfection

Played by flawed musicians.

If I cannot be more than a screech

Let me remain still

Let me die within the walls of my tomb

And bury me in endless silence.

But if I can play, and join in the music of heaven

Let it resound to the ends of the earth.

Let me be a song to those who have never heard music before.

To the world, who has only heard fingers on a chalkboard,

Let me be the music of God.

*David

Love

To draw people to God they must be shown the love of God through us. This love cannot be taught, diagramed, lectured about, or be shown from a distance. It can only be revealed when we ourselves before God, tear down all walls, all shame, and all facades. It can only be shown through intimacy, passion, desire, and the willingness to stand spiritually naked before Him and let Him breathe on us, and led us in a dance in the inner chambers of His courts.

This love will compel us to move out, to stretch our arms wide, and invite others in. How we do that is up to God. Each person is unique and each circumstance is different. But as we move in this radical genuine action of love, it will be love beyond anything otherwise known by the human race.
*David