A few weeks ago I found myself at a Catholic mass for Doris. Last year I officiated at her husband’s funeral. Graham was a Methodist local preacher. His middle daughter, and I were at High School together, and so, having moved to Leeds, the family asked if I would take Graham’s funeral. We certainly didn’t expect to be holding the funeral for Doris, almost a year to the day later.
As a Catholic, Doris would have a mass held for her soul, but the family had asked if I would say a few words at the crematorium to hold their mum and dad’s funerals together. It was my privilege to do so. I had also been asked to read the Gospel lesson at the Requiem Mass.
On the morning of the funeral, I went to St Peter’s Catholic Church, expecting to take my place in the congregation. I was deeply moved by what happened next… I’d not been sat long when I was aware of Father Nigel standing beside me. He had come to invite me to sit at the seat reserved for me in the sanctuary. As I followed him, Father Nigel said, ‘Come and take your rightful place.’
I was deeply touched by this act of grace as Fr Nigel, invited me, not only a Methodist minister, but a woman, to sit alongside him in the ‘holy of holies’ part of the church. However much more than his recognition and acceptance of my calling to Methodist ordination, was the impact of his words: ‘Come and take your rightful place.’
‘Come and take his rightful place’ is exactly what Jesus did that first Easter. Having given up his sinless life on the cross, God’s love was too strong to keep Jesus in that grave. Three days later, Jesus took his rightful place.
In so doing, when our turn comes to cross the threshold of this life to eternity, isn’t that exactly what Jesus will say to us? ‘Come and take your rightful place’ – not because we will deserve it, nor because we will have earned it, but just because …
And so this Easter, I invite you join me again as we walk to the cross, knowing that when Jesus cries out, ‘It is finished!’ he is preparing the greeting that will one day be ours, ‘Come and take your rightful place.’ Amen.