I was pondering how to summarize the life of Br. Christopher and the words from today’s first reading came to my mind: “See what love the Father has given us that we may be called the children of God.” Br. Christopher’s life, and in fact, every life, can be summarized in this—a search for that childhood that God has given to us. Thankfully, the Father has made this search easier by revealing to us his Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our childhood is rooted in Jesus who shows us the way of true love, especially for men—men like Br. Christopher whose deep desire was to love and to be loved.
Let us think a
little bit about this love. How did Jesus love? What was it like? Immediately,
the image of a man ready to serve comes to mind. And not just any kind of
service, but the service of one meek and humble of heart…no boasting, no
attempts at dominating—get the Father’s work done patiently and properly and
move on to help others. “What do you want me to do for you?” was Jesus’ constant
refrain. This was the type of manly service that Br. Christopher strove to imitate.
Another
characteristic of Jesus’ love was his perseverance through all kinds of
obstacles. He came to do the mighty works which the Father had given him to do,
but obstacles often stood in his way, exasperating obstacles at times. “How long
am I to be with you?” he would say to his disciples; “How long am I to bear
with you?” Men, in particular, want to do mighty works—to exercise their
strength—but frustrations mount up. Br. Christopher knew his share of
frustrations. He devoted his life to caring for this beautiful abbey so that
visitors would find beauty and peace here and bring some sunshine into
peoples’ hearts. But it was not always easy. He had his frustrations—mostly
abbots—and they were a heavy burden. But the Father wanted Jesus to relieve our
burdens. We heard in the gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy
burdened.” Jesus knows our frustrations from his own experience and has the
power to help us deal with them.
Finally, there is
the moment when a man’s strength is spent. What he had relied on gives way. His
only reliance becomes the mercy of God and the support of his friends. Think of
Jesus in his passion. What had become of his mighty deeds of power? The only
thing he had left—but, also, the most important thing—was his witness to the
truth, even unto death. This was the love that the Father had hidden from the
wise and learned of this world: that the Father’s love—his almighty strength—is
perfected in weakness. I think that Br. Christopher eventually realized this
truth. He endured overwhelming bed sores from his time in rehab and then the utter
debilitation of his strength, only to resemble day by day, even physically, his
crucified Lord. “See what love the Father has given us…” The Father’s love allowed
Br. Christopher to be conformed more and more to Jesus, even unto death.
Br. Christopher was
a Christ-bearer. He carried Christ in his heart, in his service, in his loyal love
for his family, friends, and brother monks, especially the lay brothers. May our
heavenly Father allow him now to see Jesus face-to-face; to be like him; to see
him as he is—the Lord of Glory, who came not to be served, but to serve, who
patiently endured the frustrations of this life, and who showed his manly courage
by accepting the weakness which in fact is stronger than death.
Photograph by Brother Brian. Abbot Vincent's homily at the Funeral Mass for Brother Christopher.
