Psalm 23: In Memory of Patricia Yu

Psalm 23 In Memory of Patricia Yu

I preached this message this morning at the funeral for Patricia Yu:

We are here today not just to mourn a life, but also to celebrate it. And for that we are not without hope. The Christian scriptures, the gospel of Jesus Christ gives meaning to and hope to death.

And that truth is most appropriate when we think of Patricia. Patricia lived with hope and so it is appropriate that that hope should follow her into death. And we can learn much from our sister’s example.

Some people say you can tell a lot about a person by their friends. And Patricia was no example- her friend was no less than a great king of Israel- David. And their greatest connection was a poem that David wrote more than 3000 years before Patricia was born, but it is as if they wrote it together. When I asked her children the other day what was Patricia’s favourite scripture, without hesitation, their unanimous response was Psalm 23. So what can we learn about Patricia from Psalm 23 and about her hope that continues with her today?

I am only going to point out 3 things: 1) The Lord was her shepherd; 2) She did not want; and 3) She shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Let me unpack that:

1. The Lord was her Shepherd
In verse, we learn that Patricia had much in common with the great king of Israel. Though they were born centuries apart, spoke languages that were utterly alien to each other and were from completely different cultures and ethnicities, Patricia could say with full assurance and certainty along with David, that they are both from the same sheepfold with the same shepherd.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that he is the good shepherd. He also says that his sheep know him by name. The good shepherd, we are told, will leave the 99 and go out in search of his lost sheep. Jesus went out and found Patricia and brought her into his fold. Then he sat at the gate and watched over her like a good shepherd. He never let the thieves or the wolves into the fold.

Actually, when it says, “The Lord is my Shepherd” it means, Yahweh grazes me. In other words- he leads me into good pastures where I can be nourished, protected and find abundant life. All these things were things that gave Patricia hope.

It is also a picture of a benevolent king providing for his subjects. Many earthly rulers failed Patricia- whether it was the Japanese army in Burma or the Burmese military government or the secular governments in the lands of her dispersion- they do not deserve this title: Shepherd. But the Lord does. And she gladly accepted his rod and his staff to guide and chasten her; to comfort and correct her.

2) She did not want
The second thing that we learn about Patricia from her favourite Psalm is that Patricia did not want. “Now wait a minute”, some of you will say, “you did not know my mom… you didn’t know grandma (Patricia)… She wanted all kinds of things- a new car; a bigger house; new clothes; happiness…”

Sure, but that’s not what is meant when the Psalm says (an Patricia agrees with it) “I shall not want”. What it means is: I shall not decrease; I shall not lack and I shall not diminish. Patricia never decreased because God gave her a loving husband, six wonderful children and many more grandchildren. She never lacked because God supplied all her needs (not necessarily all her wants); and she never diminished because, even though her body sleeps and is but the husk of a seed; they seed will one-day sprout again to life because Patricia’s redeemer lives and she will one day stand with him just as the scripture promises.

Jesus gave his life so that Patricia’s life would never decrease, lack or diminish. Even during this time of our sorrow and grief, Patricia would remind us with this Psalm that now, more than ever, her cup overflows.

3) She shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever
Finally, Patricia shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This is saying, “Patricia shall never want” but put in positive terms: She shall always have!

The words may have been penned many millennia ago by an ancient shepherd King; but they are as though they were from the lips of Patricia this very morning. These words are her testimony to you; her assurance and hope that she would share so that they would be your words too: “Surely I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Jesus said… and he said it as a promise that is as more certain than the sunrise in the morning:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (Jn 14:1-4)

Jesus, the shepherd of our soul, the good shepherd, has taken his sheep into the fold which he prepared for her. The good shepherd laid down his life in order to bring her into his fold. And she shall never die; but dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Today we say good bye to Patricia; but it is really a homecoming for her.

Today we grieve our loss; but she has all she wants.

One day, we will be with Patricia again; But it not be as we remember her today. For on that day, her life will be restored; the Lord will gave back to her the years that the locusts have stolen; She will shine like the morning star and we will hold her hand and sing,
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,I need Thy presence every passing hour.I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.