Women of the Bible
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10
It's common at funerals to see examples of the deceased's work, lovingly gathered by the loved ones. Such was the case of Tabitha, also called Dorcas, when some of the faithful from the church in Joppa asked the Apostle Peter to come with them. “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them” (Acts 9:39). A few verses earlier, Dorcas is described as “full of good works and charitable deeds” (Acts 9:36). What a loving celebration of a dear sister in Christ!
Christians know that physical death is not the end, only an end to an earthly pilgrimage and the beginning of our eternal life in heaven. Yet, it is sad to say farewell (for a time) to a dying loved one. Even “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) when He reached Lazarus’s tomb. Like Lazarus, Dorcas was raised back to life as a witness to the power of Christ that was being preached by the Apostles.
How blessed we are by the fellowship and kindness of our fellow believers, who like Dorcas, are full of good works and charity! God’s love flows to us in myriad ways, including through the kindness of our brothers and sisters in Christ. When they are brought by God’s grace to their heavenly home, we can both celebrate their crown of life and mourn the loss of their fellowship on earth.
Lord, hear our thanks for Dorcas,
Who served the sick and poor.
Her hands were cups of kindness,
Her heart an open door.
Send us, O Christ, Your Body,
Where people cry in pain,
And touch them with compassion
To make them whole again.
Lutheran Service Book 855:12