The Burial of Jacqueline McLain

Jacquie McLain, 9/6/23
Isaiah 25:6-9
Revelation 21:2-7
John 6:37-40

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

I first met Jacquie McLain at the Massillon Woman’s Club back in February of 2019.  I had been asked to provide some piano music for the group, and afterward I got seated next to Jacquie at the luncheon.  It will surprise none of you to hear that I knew pretty much everything about her family by the time dessert came.

Jacquie was a talker.  Sort of an introvert’s dream lunch date.  But Jacquie’s stories were always packed with moral lessons, ethical points, and a general philosophy of life.  She didn’t just talk; she talked to make a point.  A story from Jacquie always included a reason to be telling you the story.

The story of her son Robert is a great example of this.  When Robert was told that he had terminal cancer, his first conversation with anyone was to be sure that his employees were taken care of.  Because, you see, it wasn’t just a story of how she lost her eldest son; it was a story about how to raise children.  Of how to be a good person in this world.  Of how to love others by remembering them.

Jacquie didn’t forget about others, and she passed that lesson on to her children, who are passing it on to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  To be remembered is to continue to exist.  And that connects perfectly with the gospel lesson I read from John just a few minutes ago.  

Jesus says “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.”  Jesus promises that he will lose nothing the Father has given him, but will raise it up on the last day.  Jesus remembers us, and that makes all the difference.

Jacquie is remembered by God because of Jesus.  She has not gone anywhere she has not already been all along, safely in the palm of God’s hands.  Jesus says he will lose nothing that has been given to him.  Not Jacquie, not her husband Bob, not their son Robert, not you, and not me.  All of us remembered by God.

And I have every confidence that Jacquie is sitting next to all sorts of interesting people, telling all sorts of interesting stories, and marveling that there is always more to say.

Amen.