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For a fourteen-year-old

An Unexpected Journey

Psalm 121

Last Thursday morning, I found myself stopped at a red light. I was responding to a phone call I had received from Mark's grandmother in Florida. This was a call signaling the deepest need. I, like you, having heard of the untimely death of this young man, was numbed by such startling news. It seemed as though that traffic light stayed red forever.

While at that light, I looked down the street across the bridge, over the railroad tracks, and up the steep grade of the ascending hill. I thought to myself, this was a road I did not want to travel. This was a journey I wished I did not have to make.

Each and all of you here this evening identify with these feelings because last Thursday, life changed for all of us. We each had to embark on our own journeys because we became family and friends in deep need. We needed one another then and we need one another now. We needed the God of our faith and we have a deep need of God now.

The street, as it stretched out ahead of me, seemed to be so long; the way up and over the far hill so steep, and the reason for my heading to this area was so difficult. At that red light, the God of our faith spoke to me in the words of the ancient psalm writer. In those moments of my own uncertainty, confusion, fear, deep concern, anger, and inward pain, God's Word from scripture came to mind. I want you to know that those words gave me courage -- and they will give you courage. Those words gave me strength and they shall be strength to you. Those words enabled me to ascend the personal mountainous hills in front of me. They helped me address the deep needs of self and this night shall do the same for each of you. The words I received at the light were these:

I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made the heaven and the earth.
-- Psalm 121:1

Last Thursday, we each in our own way, embarked upon a journey that finds us here tonight in this place. This is a journey not of our choosing. This is a journey we never thought we would ever take, and let us hope, let us deeply pray that none of our children and young people, none of our elderly, and none of us, shall ever need to take or experience this kind of journey again. Let us be united in our thoughts, words, and deeds so that as a family and a community we can be supportive of all now and supportive in all of life beyond this time and place.

Tonight, our lives are surrounded and filled with much darkness, pain, confusion, and deep sorrow. We are people with broken spirits and troubled souls, for one who was present to us is now gone. One who was loved deeply by us is no longer among us. Mark was special to each person in this room in different and unique ways. We shall never, and must never, forget that. Tonight, we are also surrounded by love, support, and the hope of friends, family, and God.

Concerning Mark's death, there are certain realities and events in life over which we have no control. It is not for us to judge or blame Mark. It's not for us to judge or blame ourselves. The Apostle Paul talks at great length about the sufferings and hardships and pain of this life. He spoke out of personal experience. At one point, he asked the question we have asked, "What then shall we say to this?" What are we to say about death when it comes to a person so young?

It is only human and natural for us to ask, "Why?" Why did this happen to Mark? Why is this happening to us? This age-old question of why, unfortunately, has no answer. Therefore, we only torment ourselves by asking, "Why?" The real question to be asked and answered is, "How?" How can you, how can we as Mark's family and friends, as teachers, as classmates, as a community, deal with what has occurred? How can we pick up the brokenness of our lives and go on living today, face tomorrow, and look forward to the months and years to come?

The answer of "How" is before you, it's among you, around you, and within you. The answer is found in the real presence of God. The God of forgiveness. The God in whose presence Mark is now found. The God who is also present to each and every one of you who opens your life to receive what you need and accept what God has to offer. New life. New life.

The God of our faith is a forgiving God. The God of our faith is a God of understanding love. God is the one who cares for all, who knows all, and whose comfort and strength, forgiveness and presence, have the ultimate power to heal and console you in your deepest need.

God's words and God's promise have enabled people for thousands of years to overcome the most tragic of trials and tribulations in life. The words of God to us, as well, are: "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

And God's words spoken through Jesus Christ comfort and assure us of this new and resurrected life, for Jesus has said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."

To each of you, God's message is this: You have each other; you have your church communities; and most of all, you have God and your faith. This is where your hope and healing begins.

I entrust you to the care and love of one another and to the care and love of Almighty God. As our faith teaches, God will comfort, strengthen, and heal you. God will take you in, console and strengthen you, and grant you new life, just as God has taken Mark into the kingdom and given him new life.

Let us pray. Most Holy God of all mystery, in the presence of this untimely death, our hearts are broken, our thoughts startled, and our lives numb. Therefore, we pray for your peace that passes all understanding to come upon these many gathered persons. We pray that your presence will heal the lives of this family and these friends of Mark. Therefore, give us grace to wait patiently for the new life you promise all your children through Jesus' resurrection life.

We pray for his mother, Linda; for his father, Tom. We pray for his stepmother, Sue; for his brother, Kenny; and sisters, Heather and Amber. We pray, O God, for each and all of these close family members, relatives, and friends. May your comfort, grace, and strength sustain each and every one of them.

We, O God, are not people without hope, for we praise you and look to you for your Son, the Christ, and the resurrection life he gives. Therefore, quiet us with your still, small voice of calm. Lift us to the new life of our faith and enable us to reach out and hold the hands of others we meet along life's arduous and often uncertain journey. Let each one touch one, O God, that the fragileness of life may be healed and maintained. This we pray in Christ's name, asking that your holy Word be a light to our path and a lamp unto our feet. Amen.

Your recollection of Mark may be of his image in the clouds, hammering nails and wood to build a birdhouse, pushing a bubble-producing lawn mower across freshly poured concrete. Your recollection may be of his kindness with children, a smile, a wave, or helping a neighbor. What we know of Mark is that he was a very sensitive young man, one who was outgoing, warm, and caring.

In our short time on earth, we interact with many people. We touch their lives and they touch ours. This interacting with one another, this connection of personality, talents, and values fashions us into who we become. Some of us are fortunate to share life with a very special person. Mark was such a person. Though his time among us was short, his memory will live among you forever. Therefore, as the Apostle Paul has written, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Let us take a moment of silence to remember, honor, and celebrate Mark in our own private way. Amen.