Spirit of the Heartland
The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour

Today we remember that in that godly work -- leading, caring, healing, teaching and living life to it's fullest – Jesus is not alone. Dr. Doug Johnson, too, lived his life in this world that way. And it wouldn't surprise most of us to hear that in the glorious mystery of everlasting life somehow Doug is now busy preparing mansions for those he loves. He's still living life to the fullest, while we lag behind in grief, staring at the place in our lives where Doug used to be.

He's off on yet another passion -- the greatest passion of the Christian life. And we are left anxiously asking like Thomas, "Hey, wait a minute! We don't know where you've gone this time. How can we follow you if we don't know the way?"

Many here today have followed Doug's enthusiasm for life one way or another: skiing or flying, horses or dancing, patients or grandchildren. He lived and loved with intensity. And we want that life and love in our lives. But we do not know the way -- the way to keep Doug and our loved ones in our lives.

Jesus answers Thomas's question about the way not with a roadmap, but with himself: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Jesus himself is the way to share in living life to the fullest. Jesus himself is the way to love generously and recklessly. We have seen something of that kind of life and love in Doug's life. But Jesus has gone ahead of us. And Doug has gone ahead of us. Where are we to find that passionate live-giving love now?

Sitting around Kay's kitchen table, telling Doug stories, someone said, "There's a spirit of Dad within all of us."

That's what real communion is. That happens in loving families.

That happens here at this table in this place. This communion is where we can find that passionate life-giving love here and now.

When we eat this bread and drink this cup, Doug and the whole communion of saints is with us. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, "There's a Spirit of God within all of us." And that Spirit never dies.