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| During the requiem Mass for the late Brother John Charles Vockler - Fr.Matthews distributes the Sacrament of the blood of Christ. Picture contributed by Di Matthews.
Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,
Although I have already paid tribute to Brother John Charles Vockler on my blog, I thought it to be meaningful to share some thoughts in relation to death and dying and offcourse the service, which was held in East Maitland NSW yesterday. I thank Dianne Matthews for her notes which helped to inspire me.
During a Funeral Mass the Priest or relatives/friends look back on the deceased person's life. In many cases and I think based on my experience , the person, who has gone before us, has been or can be an inspiration to us all now and in the time God has granted on this earth.
Brother John Charles 's brother Ron and another gentleman provided a lovely look at his youth and background. As my friend commented " a look at the man behind the robes."Everyone received a piece of Brother John Charles's writing , which I think was a lovely and inspirational idea.
In the course of his life Brother John Charles , like you and I , must also have struggled going through this valley of tears, yes , that is so often how life on earth can be. Pilgrim in this barren land.Brother John Charles had a strong Catholic Faith , and that strong Catholic Faith enabled him to move on from the Anglican Church into the Anglican Catholic Church. And it is this strong Faith that we as Anglican Catholic need to uphold and pass on to those who are following us. Many of us will miss him but we shall meet again in the new Jerusalem.
Away with our sorrow and fear!
We soon shall recover our home,
The city of saints shall appear,
The day of eternity come:
From earth we shall quickly remove,
And mount to our native abode,
The house of our Father above,
The palace of angels and God.
Our mourning is all at an end,
When, raised by the life-giving Word,
We see the new city descend,
Adorned as a bride for her Lord;
The city so holy and clean,
No sorrow can breathe in the air;
No gloom of affliction or sin,
No shadow of evil is there.
By faith we already behold
That lovely Jerusalem here;
Her walls are of jasper and gold,
As crystal her buildings are clear;
Immovably founded in grace,
She stands as she ever hath stood,
And brightly her Builder displays,
And flames with the glory of God.
No need of the sun in that day,
Which never is followed by night,
Where Jesus’ beauties display
A pure and a permanent light:
The Lamb is their light and their sun,
And lo! by reflection they shine,
With Jesus ineffably one,
And bright in effulgence divine!
The saints in His presence receive
Their great and eternal reward;
In Jesus, in Heaven they live,
They reign in the smile of their Lord:
The flame of angelical love
Is kindled at Jesus’ face;
And all the enjoyment above
Consists in the rapturous gaze.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
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