Dear family and all the friends who today mourn for Dora Anna Treece, grace mercy and peace to you from our God the Father and from our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today is a marker. It’s a marker in our lives that brings us sadness, yet mixed with the comfort of knowing that Dora now lives in Christ’s victory. She is free forever from sadness, pain or suffering ever again. All this is hers by the power of the suffering, death and resurrection of her Lord Jesus Christ. We have sorrow over the loss of Dora’s presence among us and yet there is balm for our sorrow in the certain knowledge that she is now and forever present before the throne of God in heaven.
For you the brothers, today also marks a change of your identities on this earth. Just as when your father Paul passed away and your identity was changed, so also today as we stop to honor the passing of your mother, the reality of not having either of your parents to call on… or care for, changes how you think about yourself. Your parents, no matter their limitations or conditions, your parents give you a sort of cover or shade, if you will, that stands between you and the world somehow. With the passing of Dora, that cover is now removed and how you see yourself in this world will be different because of that.
That realization won’t come all at once, but it does come. And because you have the gift of faith in Christ, with that realization also comes a change in your relationship with God. The meaning of God... the Father, takes on a different and deeper sense for you as it does for all of us. God is now, in many ways while you remain on earth, the covering and shade for you that once came from your parents. Of course it has always been true that in the cross of Christ, God has stood between you and the world as your protection. But now that your mother has left this earth God alone is your covering and shade. Only His love for you can match the love your mother gave to you.
I want to read to you from Acts 1 that was part of readings two weeks ago.
23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
I was finishing preparing my sermon on this text when Reg called with the news about Dora’s passing away. The thought struck me… the lot has finally fallen for Dora. She was certainly ready and now she has been added to the saints in glory.
As Matthias was added to company of apostles, now Dora has been added to the company of heaven. She gets to go before us. She was prepared, qualified, and chosen. And now the lot has been cast in her direction and she has been added to those who stand victorious before the throne of God and sing His praises.
It occurs to me that that, the last time she and I prayed together just a few days before she died, some of the words were difficult for her to get out. But now she has speech and voice that are in perfect harmony with those around her in the presence of Jesus. And though the words of the Lord’s Prayer didn’t come out easily, her heart was fully in it.
In the text from Acts the apostles trusted God to look on the hearts of the men proposed for the office and choose the one best suited. Again, for Dora, her heart was set on her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is with glad confidence I can say that about her. She had confidence in the salvation won for her in the cross of Christ and she and I had many occasions to talk about that in the last 4 years.
It’s a testimony of God’s faithfulness to Dora that there are so few here this day that had her length of days. That may sound strange but He has blessed her with a long life that has superseded many, if not all, of her contemporaries. In ancient biblical days a long life was honored and seen by all as a token of God's favor and kindness.
Dora’s long life was not always easy for her and there were days of wondering why and just how much longer the Lord would keep her here. But she knew and understood that her time to pass to glory would come at God's chosen hour. It wasn’t easy for her, but she trusted in God to keep His promises to her, and to us all. I have no doubt that her trust has received its reward.
Finally, in the reading from Acts there’s a reference to Judas going to the place he belongs. Well Dora has also gone to the place she belongs and it is, by God's grace in her life, not where Judas went! One of the things of comfort about this memorial service is that there’s no doubt of God’s grace to her. She expressed her trust in Jesus for her salvation many times over the brief time I’ve known her.
She was always ready and eager for the sacrament. She was also ready and eager for conversation. She was proud of her family and loved you all deeply. Reg told me how, when he was in confirmation she would sit down with him and go over his memorizations with him to be sure he got the content correct. She would take the time to listen and help him get it right.
She knew and understood that the content of her faith was Jesus Christ. We remember her this day and know that she has been chosen in Christ to share in His victory with all the saints in heaven. We share in her confident hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ that is promised to all who trust in His promise to return and take us to be with Him in His glory. In Jesus' mighty name, amen.