Homily Preached At Alex Adams Memorial Service - The Rev. Philippa A. Turner

Alex all who knew him - as we heard in all the moving eloquent remembrances - were never at a loss to describe him with words of wit, wonder, laughter, love, care, compassion –

Words we know he could probably molded transform into something even more moving funny and striking.

Alex – it is too too soon to be standing here today to celebrate his life, but celebrate it we do, no matter how brief the journey – for it was full, rich and in it he did not waste a minute truly
Living
Giving
Sharing.

I’m sorry I didn’t know him longer. A few intense weeks. But I saw in him – his searching eyes, his kind manner ven in the midst of pain – such courage,
Such dignity
Such honour
Such love
Yes, even in those difficult moments, humour
Such care
In this liturgy today we celebrate in word in song in prayer we remember , we give back Alex,
Yet all in the context of eternal life.

How can we bear to let go , and yet, as the beautiful prayer puts it – in giving back we do not lose him for the expanse of Gods heart is so vast that it contains us all, its’s just our understanding of time is different. Alex is now embraced in eternity. In my Father’s house, it says, there are many rooms, I go to prepare a place for thee.

He, Alex, has entered far too soon, but he is not alone. He has s gone before, defying death, and Alex, our faith proclaims and hope trusts, is embraced in that love where there is no more pain, no more weeping – where everything has been made new.

And that great company of those who have gone on before abide and live in love so there is nothing lonely about it at all.

Alex said to me a few weeks ago that he hoped that a part of him would remain behind. Well we all know that that part is his love and our love which bind us to him and him to us, forever. Time and Space and Death can not take that away.

The Psalmist declares that he lifts up his eyes to the _____ from whence comes his help.

Alex loves the mountains – on of his most joyful moments perhaps – accomplishment – victory – awe
was reaching the peak of a mountain and appreciating this vast and beautiful and magnificent creation of which we are all a part.

His fight against cancer is one in which we all stand in awe at his tenacity and giving back, right to the end.

And yet – a new beginning, in which, in a way we will learn with trepidatic and sorrow, yet also with faith and hope – his new life, his eternal love will live in us – always.

May we go forth from this place strengthened – comforted by this hope, by his memory, his words ringing in our ears and buoyed up by the angelic voices heard here today carrying him to the heart of God.

Amen