Faith and Humility

Lorna and I attended the funeral of an acquaintance this week.  I hesitate to call her a friend because I did not know her that well.  However, on reflection, I believe she would have considered herself to be my friend as she was probably a friend to anyone she met.

Although we did not know Claire that well our paths crossed in a number of different ways while we have been here at our cottage.  Although you would not know it if you first met her, Claire was one of those people who made a difference.  She was part of her community in many different ways.

 I had been aware that she was Roman Catholic in faith but she did not let that be an impediment to quietly sharing her faith with everyone in the community.  One of her great gifts and loves was music and shared her talent as a singer and organist with church congregations beyond Roman Catholic ones.  Claire lived a life of service to her community in many different ways and shred that faith with people in her actions rather than her words. 

Claire died of a sudden illness but she was blessed to be able to have time to plan the music and scripture passages for her funeral which, as the priest noted, is a blessing to know what the person wanted in their service.  The service certainly had her stamp in these two areas.  The scripture passages were very appropriate to who she was and music that reflected her faith and her love of music.  The music was provided by members congregations with which Claire had shared her musical gifts.

The music, the scripture passages and the liturgy emphasized the faith which Claire lived in her life that she would share eternal life with her God and her saviour.  This must have sustained in in death as it did in life.  Claire was an example for all who knew her of faith in life and action.  

The small church, which was her parish home, was filled to overflowing with family, friends and loved ones more than filling the all available pews.  As a close friend of Claire’s noted, it was a great send off. 

Rest eternal grant her, O God, and let light perpetual shine upon her.