Homily for George

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:5–6 NRSV)

How can we know the way? This is the question that the disciple Thomas asked of Jesus. How can we know the way? Maybe it’s also a question you’ve asked yourself at some point…maybe out loud…maybe silently. How can we know the way:

• when life changes?
• when sadness seems overwhelming?
• when someone close to us is no longer here?

Maybe today you are asking yourself, how can we know the way — to know what to do, to find meaning, to find hope after a beloved husband, beloved family member and friend, George has died.

You might be able to relate to the disciple Thomas who first asked Jesus this question. And I hope you don’t feel guilty for asking it; it’s an important question.

There may be very well-intentioned people who have tried to answer it for you. But when you lose someone close to you — a companion of 60 years — the short answers aren’t very satisfying:

• God needed another angel
• It’s just God’s plan
• He’s in a better place

Even if you want to believe those things, they don’t really answer the question; they don’t really help us to know the way.

Even if it’s not as easy an answer, the only answer that can satisfy is the answer that Jesus gives to the question, how can we know the way?

Jesus says,

I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

The way to find meaning, the way of hope is not a step by step plan, it’s not a list of things you have to do, it’s not a list of things you have to say, it’s not even a list of things you have to believe. “I am the way,” says Jesus. It’s not a requirement we have to meet; it’s a relationship. It’s God’s relationship with us. It’s God’s own beloved Son whom he sent to be born with us, to suffer and grieve with us, to die with us. And to rise to life again — with us.

God grieves with you today. And baptized into God’s kingdom, George lived, struggled, and died with Jesus. And just like Jesus, George will not be held by death. He will be led by the Good Shepherd of the Sheep. He will be gathered up into the arms of God. He has come face to face with the way, the truth, and the life.