Salt and Light - Eulogy for Gregory Carter

EULOGY FOR GREGORY CARTER

SALT AND LIGHT

Monday, October 14, 2019

Matthew 5:3-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Beatitudes

³ “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,^[a]
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
⁴ God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ God blesses those who are humble,
    for they will inherit the whole earth.
⁶ God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,^[b]
    for they will be satisfied.
⁷ God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
    for they will see God.
⁹ God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.
¹⁰ God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

¹¹ “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ¹² Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Teaching about Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:3-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Beatitudes

³ “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,^[a]
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
⁴ God blesses those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ God blesses those who are humble,
    for they will inherit the whole earth.
⁶ God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,^[b]
    for they will be satisfied.
⁷ God blesses those who are merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
    for they will see God.
⁹ God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.
¹⁰ God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

¹¹ “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ¹² Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Teaching about Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

         Good morning, Carter family and friends.  On Sunday, October 6 a light went out at Mount Hope and in the Sunderland community when we learned of Brother Greg’s transition.  My heart was saddened because he was on my mind that morning and I was making a mental note to give him a call after service because I hadn’t seen him.  I knew he had been having some health challenges, but he was still singing in the choir and active with the men, but I was missing his warm smile and I wanted to make sure he was all right.  Little did I know at the time that he was more than all right because he was resting in the arms of Jesus.

         For the past week I had been thinking about Brother Greg and what encouraging word God would have me give to the family.  Afterall, you knew Greg all your lives while I’ve only known him for a couple years. 

         There are those things you know about him because of what I call his church resume – he was a member of the Board of Trustees, on the Men’s Choir, a member of the Gospel Messengers mass choir, a member of the United Methodist men, and a member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.  Everyone at Mount Hope knew at least those things about Brother Greg.  The more I prayed and asked God’s guidance, the more I kept thinking about how humble he was.  He was soft spoken and meek.   He was not a man of many words, but he must have had a conversation about Jesus with a neighbor because he brought her to church one Sunday and she joined the next.  They had a common interest in horses.  So, while he didn’t say much, he was a perfect example of his actions speaking louder than words.

         I remember when his brother Sherman passed and Brother Greg and his nephew met with me regarding the service for him.  Brother Greg came to support his nephew.  He didn’t have anything to add to the conversation, he was just present.

         And I imagine that he was present for a lot of folks.  I know he was a presence in his nephews lives and his nieces life.  He was a presence in his family’s life.  But he was also a presence and a support to those who were needy.  He housed the homeless under his own roof, feeding them and helping them in any way he could.  Some thought he was being taken advantage of, but Brother Greg was just doing what he had learned at Mount Hope all his life – to give selflessly to those in need.  He was doing what Jesus did.

         Then it dawned on me that Brother Greg was living out portions of the Beatitudes that Jesus gave on the Sermon on the Mount.  Brother Greg realized his need for God and now he rests in heaven with Jesus.  Greg mourned the loss of his brother, Sherman.  I understand that after his brother’s passing, his next door neighbor, Mrs. Johnson kept watch on him and would call him to make sure he was all right.  She would make the same meal for him every Friday.  I can just see him smiling and nodding his thanks for a good home cooked meal.

         I think we all know that Brother Greg was one of the most humble people you would ever meet.  Jesus said the humble will inherit the earth.  Brother Greg had is share of that living on the family land and sharing it with his companion Bullet.

         I can’t speak to Brother Greg’s thirst for justice, but I know he was satisfied.  I know he worked in the federal Government for the Department of Transportation and then with the Calvert County School system and recently with Dales Jones landscaping until this August.  He didn’t let moss grow under his feet, I know that.

         Brother Greg showed mercy to those who didn’t have.  He welcomed them into his home and God showed mercy to him all during his life.  Brother Greg had a pure heart and I know that he is now seeing God as he has the keys to eternity.

         Brother Greg was the salt of. the earth.  He never lost his flavor. The Scripture says that we are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  I don’t know about you, but that smile of Brother Greg’s would light up a room.  He seemed shy, but his smile was big and bright.  He shared it with everyone he knew and it will be missed by his family, but it will also be missed at Mount Hope.

         When Jesus called Brother Greg home, he probably was smiling and anxious to move on to see Sherman and his parents again.

         We weep and ache missing his presence, his essence, his joy and love.  But we are assured of this one thing.  While he is absent from us, he has left us memories to last a lifetime and love that never dies.

         I could quote all kinds of clichés and scripture to give you comfort for your grief, but they will be forgotten when you walk out that door.  Brother Greg left a legacy more precious than silver or gold.  Hold on to that legacy.  Remember, he loved the Lord.  He lived a life before the Lord.  Was he a saint?  I don’t think any of us are saints.  I’m sure he had his moments where the salt was a little tangy.  But those moments were probably few and far between. 

When our work in this life is done and we’ve lived a life before the Lord like Brother Greg did, and God calls us to our home in eternity, pray that God will greet us like he has greeted Brother Greg with “Well done my good and faithful servant.  Welcome to your eternity.  Here’s your robe of glory and your golden crown.  Have a seat beside Jesus at the table.”

         Amen.