Boys Together Throughout Eternity

He that raised up Jesus from the dead
will also give life to our mortal bodies,
by his Spirit that dwelleth in us. (Romans 8:11b)

We have wonderful Scripture this coming Sunday, the Fifth Sunday in Lent. All four pieces are truly memorable.

Ezekiel and the Dry Bones, “Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones”

Psalm 130, De profundis, “Out of the depths,” perhaps the most beautiful lament in the Psalter, it will go well with our minor key chant for Lent

Romans 8:6-11 in which we hear Paul’s theology of our prospect for resurrection from death; and

Jesus raising Lazarus from the tomb: “Lazarus, come out!”

We have a Latin expression about Anglican theology, lex orandi lex credendi, “the law of praying is the law of believing.” It means that to discern what we believe as Anglican Christians all one needs to do is come to church with us and experience what we do and say and sing and pray when we gather for worship. What we believe about our own prospects for resurrection from death is nowhere better expressed than in our burial service, and there nowhere more specific than in two lines, one a petition in the Prayers,

Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they
may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a
reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal
life with those they love. Amen.

And then at the graveside the assurance from Romans 8,

He that raised up Jesus from the dead
will also give life to our mortal bodies,
by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.

This morning I cannot for the life of me find the exact quote on line, but it reminds me of what a minister said to Abraham Lincoln after his son died. The minister also had lost a son, and finding Mr. Lincoln inconsolable with grief he said, “Mr. President, our sons have the joy of being boys together throughout eternity.” I love that Christian confidence in the joy of whatever comes after this life.  

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

TW+