In Memoriam - Carol Samek-McKinlay: "Lasting Words"

+ In Memoriam - Carol Samek-McKinlay - November 30, 2019 +

Luke 2:25-32; John 10:11-16

Beautiful Savior Lutheran

Milton, WA

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

A person’s first words are usually a memorable and important experience, and for good reason.  Parents, grandparents, family, and friends recall with joy the first time a child says, “mama”, or “dada”, “Ga, or Gampa”. 

A person’s final words are important as well. In fact, they can tell you a lot about that person. Take St. Paul for example, in his parting words to Timothy. 

 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Paul knew what was coming. He knew his departure, his death, was near. And yet Paul gives Timothy, and all who hear his words, a message of comfort in his final words. Great words of faith that reveal the greater faithfulness of our Lord Jesus. In the midst of death, Jesus is his life, and ours, just as he is Carol’s life. And our life, just as it was for St. Paul, is entirely wrapped up in Jesus’ life because of his dying and rising for us.

Or consider another man early on in Luke’s Gospel named Simeon. St. Luke says he “was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” 

And then one day, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the temple. Simeon saw God’s promise with his own eyes, and held God’s faithfulness in his own hands. Much like we and Carol and God’s baptized children see and receive God’s promises here in the Lord’s holy house. And seeing all that, Simeon was ready to die.

Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Simeon’s last words were ones of hope, consolation, and peace in Jesus.

Or perhaps you recall Jesus’ last words on the cross: It is finished. His work of redeeming, rescuing, and saving was done. Complete. Fulfilled. He had finished the race, accomplished his goal, carrying Carol, you, and me across the finish line on his back and his outstretched, crucified arms. Jesus’ last words on the cross give us comfort, consolation, and confidence, even in death.

This is also the confidence that our Lord gave his dearly beloved, baptized child Carol, throughout her earthly life, and in her last days. As I met with Rick and Cheryl they recalled for me some of Carol’s last words. “Lord, I’m ready to die now, please”, she said. 

Some may hear those words and be saddened or grieved. But those are words of joy, not sadness, hope, not despair, confidence in Christ’s power over death, comfort in his gift of eternal life; and consolation in Jesus’ death and resurrection, which we, and Carol, and all the faithful in Christ share in by his grace. 

Carol’s last words remind me a great deal of Paul’s words of confidence in Jesus, and of Simeon’s words of trust in God’s promises. They are words that point us, who mourn to the One who gave Carol such great faith, countless earthly blessings, so many beloved family and friends. Carol’s words point us to Jesus.

For Jesus, too, was ready to die - from the moment he drew his first earthly breath to time when he breathed out his last on the cross, indeed Scripture says even from all eternity, Jesus was ready to die, for Carol, for you, for me.

Jesus our Good Shepherd was ready to lay down his life for us wayward sheep. As our Lord says in John’s Gospel: 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

From our first words to our last words, Jesus words bring us comfort, as they did for Carol throughout her earthly life and in her last hours. Words of promise that we cling to like Simeon, St. Paul, and Carol - the sure and certain word that promises resurrection of our mortal bodies to life immortal and everlasting. Words of life that Jesus delivers to us from the cross to the font, the altar, in his Word - words that will raise us from the dead as easily as Jesus raised up Lazarus from his grave. Words of hope and joy that will fill our hearts, minds, ears, and mouths, not only in this life, but for all eternity. As we join Carol and all the faithful  departed in singing praises to the Lamb who was slain and yet lives, the Shepherd who laid down his life for Carol and for you.

Today, when words might be difficult to say because of grief or sadness. Fear not. Jesus our Good Shepherd has plenty of words - eternal unending words - and promises to fill your ears, hearts, minds, and mouths with today, and always. He did that for Carol. And he’ll do that for you too. For you, and for Carol, Jesus has the first and the last, and the abiding word.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.