Funeral Meditation - 2 Cor 4:1-15

When I think of Alberta, I think of this passage from the apostle Paul about treasure in clay jars. Since I’ve known Alberta she has been homebound with a body that seemed to be failing, and yet, she knew that her life was about so much more than her earthly body. She knew that she held a precious gift from God inside of her. 

Alberta would be the first to tell you that she didn’t understand every passage of every scripture, but she knew one thing for sure - that she loved her Lord and Savior with all of her heart and soul. The message of the gospel wasn’t veiled to her, for she was embraced by the love of our Savior each and every day. And she shared that gospel message with anyone who could listen. One of the things that she most often said to me is that didn’t understand how God could be so good to her. But I think it was so that his child, Alberta, could share that grace, peace, and joy with everyone who she met. 

And share she did. Alberta had such a generous spirit. I was telling her son and daughter earlier this week that I have no idea how many people in this congregation have been blessed by the blankets that she made - but they were given out to celebrate births and weddings. I even have one to celebrate pastoral appreciation. She sent mail to and called her life long friends. And how many of you have a gift that she made for you on plastic canvas? Alberta was always giving, always sharing, always blessing others. Her light truly shined in this world.

Alberta also knew suffering in her life, but even those times of pain she used for God’s glory, seeing the blessing in them. She believed in the healing power of prayer and prayed that God would use her in a mighty way. 

Since Alberta joined this church she has been home bound. Often confined to her chair or her bed. But that’s not the totality of who Alberta was. While she knew that her health was in the decline, she also knew that this would not be the end. That she was being transformed into a woman for God’s glory. Her body was being transformed for a new life, eternally, in God’s presence. 

And that is what the apostle Paul is proclaiming in today’s scripture. Even though our outer body may be flawed and fading, our inner treasure is being renewed. Even the afflictions and hardships we go through in this life cannot dampen the light that comes forth from this treasure. 

Alberta had that treasure that could not be contained. She claimed the grace of Christ in her life. Alberta’s body may have given out, but her heart and faith live on in each of us. And that  brothers and sisters, is a gift of eternal weight beyond our wildest imaginations. Amen.