Justin Appel

Dear Friends,

The text from today’s Old Testament lesson sounds especially familiar to Anglican Christians, because the opening verses are found in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Verses 1-2 of Job chapter 14 comprise the first of several “funeral sentences,” which are said by the Priest as ‘the Corpse is made ready to be laid into the earth’.

This initial “sentence” from Job reminds us of the finitude of human existence:

“Man that is born of a woman

Hath but a short time to live,

And is full of misery.

He cometh up, and is cut down like a flower;

He fleeth as it were a shadow,

And ne’er continueth in one stay…

Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass…”

Regarding this passage, St Gregory the Great noted that God places a bound on our spiritual attainments: “We learn humility by the things we are unable to master, that we may not be exalted by those things we have the power to do.” This interpretation reminds us that our growth in maturity and our spiritual attainments, such as they are, are God’s gift to us, even as we work out our salvation “with fear and trembling.” We may work, but God does work in us. Any limitations in that progress, including any failures, weakness, or setbacks—these are causes for humility and patience in us. Then, if we proceed to grow in virtue and holiness, we will do so with a learned humility.

Henry Purcell (1665-1695) wrote a set of “Funeral Sentences” and ceremonial music for the burial of Queen Mary II, who died in 1694 of smallpox at the age of 32. The sentences were sung at her funeral at Westminster Abbey, where Purcell served as organist.

Yours in Christ,

—Justin