(…continued)
Funeral for Ora Casdorph, March 31, 1997, Stover, Missouri:
This is a difficult sermon for me to preach, difficult because I did not know Mr. Casdorph well at all. I visited him a few times at the request of his sister, my friend and parishioner, Mabel Schupp.
For the little bit of time I did know Mr. Casdorph, he was struggling with health problems, which made any conversation difficult. But I have learned some things about him– two main things.
Toward the very end of his life, so his daughters tell me, the Twenty-Third Psalm became very important to him for some reason. He would ask to have it read to him, and ask again when finished.
I also learned that the last six years of his life, maybe years before as well, had been restless years. He could never find a place to be at home.
It was like that since he sold his farm. He moved three times in these six years. I think he would have moved again had he been able.
I’m wondering what he found in the Twenty-Third Psalm that was so important.
It is a treasured passage of course, a psalm rich in poetic imagery.
I shall not want… My cup runneth over… The valley of the Shadow of Death… Goodness and mercy shall follow me.
These are vast promises, deep promises that touch hearts and stir souls. But I have a guess– only a guess– as to which promise he may have latched on to the tightest.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
We are speaking here of a restless man seeking his rest, are we not? What better promise could he find than the promise of a final home, a home that is his forever?
Like I said, that is only a guess. But it doesn’t matter if I am right or if I am wrong. The important thing to remember is this: Mr. Casdorph will have his home in the house of the Lord.
And it will be his by God’s gift forever.
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Psalm 23 (King James Version):
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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O God, I firmly believe that you are everywhere present and you see all things. You see my nothingness, my restlessness, and my sinful neglect of you, my Lord. You see me in all my actions and you see me in this my meditation. I want to bow down before you and worship your divine majesty with my whole being. But I am always so distracted, harassed by fleeting concerns and trifling diversions. Cleanse my heart from all vain, wicked, and distracting thoughts. Enlighten my understanding, and inflame my will, so that I may pray with the reverence, attention, and devotion that you deserve from me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
–From a 19th-century Retreat Manual by Madame Cecilia.
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