Claire Harrison's funeral homily

Funeral homily-Claire Harrison September 20, 2018 One of Claire’s gifts is that she could find joy in small things. She found joy in her cats. She found joy in dressing up. She found joy in a nice shade of bright, red lipstick. Claire found joy in sitting near the wine table at Wednesday night supper (and she always remarked on how good that little sip of wine was that she would get when I would take her communion in the nursing home, so I’d always make sure to fill the small cup full); and oh, how she loved to go out to eat! She found joy in birthday parties put on for her by her friends, and she found joy in Christmas presents from her sister. Perhaps one of her most joyful moments was when John and Tara got married at the nursing home, so that Claire could be there for the wedding—she talked to me about that often. It is a gift to be able to find joy in small things, especially since Claire’s life has not always been joyful. In fact, it has been especially difficult in these her final years. She faced many challenges, but she was always able to hold on to these small sources of joy. We gather today to give thanks for Claire and her life, and to celebrate that she is no longer suffering, that she has been received into the dwelling place of God, prepared for her by Jesus who loves her. The reading from Revelation has a vision for what heaven will be like for us, the faithful: “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’” What a wonderful gift for Claire and for us all, to be made new once again! So today, we remember that death is not the end, but a change. And we give thanks that Claire has been received into the kingdom of God where there is no more pain or sorrow or suffering. In fact, she is, even now, feasting at God’s heavenly banquet! And don’t you know that her joy is now complete, and she is sitting at the table near the wine!