Monday, June 25, 2012

The Homily From Aaron Kimel's Funeral

Read it here. Warning, have the tissue box close at hand.

HT: Blog reader Dave B.

12 comments:

The Archer of the Forest said...

What do you think of the theology in this sermon?

John (Ad Orientem) said...

Archer
The Christian response to suicide is a very thorny issue and one worthy of discussion. But out of deference to Fr. Kimel and his family I am going to suggest that perhaps that subject should be broached at another time. I will therefor confine myself to referring any interested parties to the statement by the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA) on the pastoral response to suicide. It may be read here.

http://www.scoba.us/articles/2007-05-25-letter-on-suicide.html

Under the mercy,
John

peggy38 said...

Thanks for the link, John. I am also curious to know the answer but did not want to seem disrespectful of the Kimels. Its not wrong to want to know, its just the timing. On the other hand, the mind want to know when it wants to know it.3

Proskomen said...

I'm in awe of Fr. Kimel's bravery in delivering this homily. If it had been my son, I would have been a tearful mess at his funeral and unable to speak so eloquently.

The liturgics nerd in me is curious about which rite/service was used for the funeral itself, but is content with not knowing if nobody feels comfortable with sharing that information.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
John (Ad Orientem) said...

Anonymous
Your comment was grossly inappropriate. If you don't understand why then I would suggest you have a long talk with your confessor before posting more comments here.

mjl said...

As someone who has battled a very permanent form of depression and lost friends to suicide, I found Fr. Kimel's words very encouraging. Yes, I too can critique the theology and do find some things I disagree with a lot, but the general cry of the heart of this man was inspiring.

John, thank you for linking and also for treating this issue with sensitivity.

The Archer of the Forest said...

Certainly, kudos to Father Kimel for preaching in this instance. I, too, would not have been able to do it if I had been in his shoes. I would have been a mess.

Kelly said...

I am deeply saddened that anyone would take his own life and I will pray for the repose of his soul and for comfort for all who loved him.

But I don't think it does anyone any good to let unsound theology get a pass because it might hurt someone's feelings. That is what modernists and moral relativists do. Eternal salvation is at stake!

In Christ,
Kelly

John (Ad Orientem) said...

OK folks. I don't want to be rude and perhaps I was not clear in my earlier comments. So let me clarify things. This thread is not an appropriate forum for discussion of theology or doctrine regarding suicide or the theology of Fr. Kimel's homily. This is my blog and if you are going to post here you will respect my judgment on the matter. You are free to disagree with me but please remember that while posting here, you are in effect a guest in my house. If you don't like that, then start your own blog.

Any further comments of the nature described will be considered a deliberate abuse of hospitality and will be immediately deleted.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
John (Ad Orientem) said...

I am closing the comments on this thread due to repeated posts of a highly inappropriate and uncharitable nature. Further comments will be accepted by email only. I apologize to the readers who might have wished to leave a comment here.