Final Words

 

 

I have watched lots of movies where someone dies. Upon their deaths, a big ta-do is made of the family and friends gathering to hear the reading of the will. Sometimes the person who has died has left envelopes for particular people, often children. Inside are letters. The letters might be with things left unsaid, words of love and encouragement, tidbits of wisdom, or sometimes requests. Have you received such a letter? Have you considered writing letters to be opened after you die? If you were to write a letter or letters to whom would you write and what would you say?

 

The section of the gospel we heard this morning are Jesus’ words, a prayer for the disciples; a prayer not written in a letter, but rather one they overheard. The words are offered in the final few hours Jesus is with the disciples. Shortly before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion the gift of these final words is given.

 

Imagine, you sit down to write final words and you do so in the form of a prayer from your heart. You write:

 

I have made your name known to those who you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them.

And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you. Holy God, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.     (John 17: 6-11)

 

Think about these words as your final prayer.

I suspect that most of you have wrinkled your brows and thought: I don’t think so. Well maybe if I was a pastor? These were Jesus’ words, how could they be mine?

 

Let us consider the possibility.

Discipleship is following in the ways and commandments of the teacher. Having this prayer as our final word, would mean that we have lived a life of discipleship – committed to loving God and loving neighbour.

 

To pray - I have made your name known to those who you gave me from the world-

requires of us a perspective that our family, our friends, our neighbours, acquaintances, and co-workers, are in our purview. The ancient question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” pushes us to consider further how far reaching, open, and inclusive is the circle of those we consider to be ‘our people,’ ‘those whom God gave to us.’ To think that God gave a person (a disciple) responsibility for a group, a flock, is for most a change in perspective. When I look at the people in my life, the people I see in my neighbourhood, the people I interact with during daily activities, I have not applied ‘these have been given to me.’ I have considered discipleship to be learning about Jesus, following the commandments, and being a good person. Discipleship has not been expressed or understood in Christian theology in terms of God giving each disciple, ‘those who you gave me from the world.’ This dramatically alters how we view the world and live in it.

 

Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them;

This is the core of discipleship in the Easter season. Sharing Christ. Proclaiming good news. It is telling the stories of Jesus and your experiences of God. It is living a life where those around you, notice gratitude in your life; that you reverently demonstrate that everything is from God. There is abundance, grace, and hope to share. The phrase has me wonder, will I be held accountable for those with whom I have not shared God’s word or failed to be a living example of distributing God’s abundance? Have I given God’s word – all of God’s word- to my immediate family, friends, and neighbourhood?

 

All mine are yours, and yours are mine;

If I lived the prayer of Jesus, I would have a changed perspective. I would treat people differently. Imagine approaching everyone, interacting with all, as they are a gift from God. It would mean being responsible for fellow human beings and creatures. It would mean relationship and love. Both of which can get messy and be uncomfortable. I am not so sure that my baptismal or confirmation vows prepared me for this kind of discipleship.

 

Holy God, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

This is a prayer that screams intimacy, words from the heart.  The words say that your life has been lived in relationship, marked by relationships, and that connection matters. The phrase is mirrored in a funeral prayer from the Anglican Book of Alternative services – We ask that we who were close to them may now because of their passing, be even closer to each other…

 

These are words I want prayed at my funeral for my children and grandchildren to hear. These are words I would like them to live when I am gone; to be closer to each other.

 

One of the blessings and joys in a pastor’s ministry, although it can be difficult, is to preach at funerals, particularly funerals of those they have known. Pastors get a chance to share final words. So often, I draw on stories and conversations from the deceased: things they told me about family members or friends and dreams they had for them, things they held dear, wisdom they shared, faith they expressed, with me and not necessarily articulated to the people around them. I become a conveyer of their final words – pieces of their lives that will comfort, encourage, and be the prayer the family members need to grieve, to be all they can be, and to be in relationship, ever closer to each other.

 

As a disciple, what faith stories and wisdom do you have to share now, but also what final words do you have for those you love? Do you have a final prayer for them?

Take some time to write down final words, a prayer, seal the words in an envelope and lovingly write the name of the person to receive this gift at the time of your death.

 

Too often, I sit at bedsides of people dying who have things to say and are no longer able to. I walk with families who have no idea where wills are or what a person’s final wishes might be. As people grieve, people wonder about their loved one, wanting something more – closure; a word to hold on to, a nugget of wisdom, a statement of faith; a profound “God embrace them in love, my love, your love. Give them peace.”

 

As we contemplate our final words, let us continue to strive to live so that Jesus’ prayer might be our final word; that God may be glorified through our faithful living.

 

O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done Then, Lord in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.