Our Fr. Harold died of a heart attack earlier this week. I don't think that there is any way to count the lives that he touched, in some way, shape or form. It boggles the mind to even think about it, really. He was the "founding father," if you will, of our close-knit community. His faith, determination, and never-say-die attitude are a huge part of why we are here on Monastery Drive, surrounding the Cathedral and seeking to work out our salvation together, as a church, congregation, and community. This community has shaped my life in a very real and significant way, as it is now shaping the lives of my children.
I've been thinking a lot about legacies the last few days. It's not hard to find Fr. Harold's. There was not a person packed into our church this morning whose life he hadn't touched. Even if you had never spoken a word with him, by virtue of standing in the Cathedral, your life has been affected. Besides the physical legacy of community, he left a spiritual one. I've never met a person more assured of the grace of God, heaven, and salvation than Fr. Harold. His faith was an ingrained part of who he was. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and Fr. Harold knew it. His last words were exhorting the clergy of his parish--my husband included--to preach God from the heart, to share their experiences, and to bring everyone around them that much closer to Christ. Within five minutes of speaking, he slipped into unconsciousness, and went Home. Fr. Harold died the way he lived: he had something to say, he said it, and then he was done. Painless, blameless, and peaceful.
Growing up, we used to sing a hymn at the old EOC services, and as I grew older, I came to learn that it was one of Fr. Harold's favorite. The chorus is very fitting, to say the least. "Let the people sing 'Amen'." There were hundreds of people at St. John's physically, and countless more all over the world in spirit, singing Amen for Fr. Harold today. Amen to a life of faith, Amen to a life of hard work, Amen to a life of giving it all for Christ...and the greatest Amen of all, in thankfulness to God for a man who brought each of us one step closer to heaven.
Amen, Fr. Harold. Amen.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Amen, Amen, Amen. Words said after the Epiclesis of the Divine Liturgy and the transformation of the gifts. Amen, Amen, Amen, words said after a life well lived and a transformation to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ! Memory Eternal!
Post a Comment