Photo by Rev. David Haberstock taken at Peace Lutheran Church in SK. The carving is from the grave of a 19 year old who died in 1918. The grave has in German John 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many mansions.”

by Marvin Bublitz

My mother served as a fine Christian example. She always reminded me of the Word of God and how it should direct and govern my life. She constantly read Bible stories to us.

My mother-in law raised a fine Christian daughter who became my wife. During her last night on earth, a week after Easter, there was a severe storm outside her hospital room and great storms of pain inside. Just after she passed and the room fell silent, I looked outside her window at the sunrise. The storms had ceased. I marvelled at how she was now at peace, and I knew I could be at peace trusting in the resurrection.

My neighbour and elementary school teacher was also an organist for our congregation. Her faith was evident as she watched her husband die with cancer, and later as she would do the same.

An elder in one of my congregations was called home in late April. He was a farmer, a true steward of the earth. One summer Sunday morning, we talked as he was preparing to leave for a two-week vacation. I asked, “Who is looking after the farm while you are gone?” He pointed to heaven and said, “The same One who always does.” It was a good reminder for me of the Lord’s divine care. I asked his wife for some of the soil from his fields to use for his committal. The remainder of that bottle sits on my desk as a reminder of him and of the Lord’s constant care. 

Recently, two more saints were added to my April list. Dr. Ken Currie was called home. I worked with him on various committees and such over the years. He was always an example of Christian service.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

Most recently, the Lord called Rev. Dr. Roger Winger to glory. He was a mentor to me. Ordaining me was one of his first official duties as the newly elected District President. As a young pastor, I relied on his wisdom and guidance. That continued throughout my ministry. When I came into this office, he had more to teach me.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

This is a different article than I usually write. I do so not to draw attention to myself and my grief, nor do I seek to draw attention to those saints called to glory. Rather, I rejoice in all the Lord accomplished in their lives and through them in the lives of others. Most importantly, I rejoice in the eternal glory that they now enjoy through Christ.

As I said, the end of April generates mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, I mourn the many I miss. But my grief is far overshadowed by the fact that they are at peace in the Lord. He, who overcame death and the grave, bestows that victory to His saints. He, who rose from the dead, will raise all the saints to life everlasting. I cannot help but see the significance that all these deaths occur at the time when the church celebrates the Easter season.

During this time of pandemic, many have lost loved ones. For many of us, their death came without our being able to be at their bedside. I have heard people speak of how “they died alone.” Yet that is not true, for the Lord is always with us, and none of His saints die alone.

St. Paul reminds us in Romans 14:7-9: “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

We do not mourn as they who have no hope. We mourn with the sure confidence of the faithful, and we eagerly await the resurrection of all flesh. On that day, we shall be reunited with all the saints who have gone before us, and together we shall be forever with the Lord in our Father’s Kingdom.

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Rev. Marvin Bublitz is East Regional Pastor for Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC).

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