Jesus, had some comforting words for his friends who he knew would soon be grieving like we are this morning. Canon Ottrey read them from John 14 just a few moments ago. Don’t let your hearts be troubled, even at times like this, believe in God, believe also in me, Jesus said. I’m going on ahead to prepare a place for you in my Father’s heavenly home. I’ll be there for you. Even in death. I promise.
Jesus knew about the seasons and times for every matter under heaven we heard about in the first reading from Ecclesiastes, because he lived them too—times to be born and times to die—way too early in this case—and so we have this time to weep and to mourn. There’s laughter from good memories, too, but mostly it hurts.
When we come up against real life when it comes hard, and dark and fast, we can mistake what Jesus is really like and what he is saying through his Church. It can come across as a bit soft for life as it really is—too religious and other worldly for things like motorcycle crashes. But that’s not true. Jesus lived hard and full on. He just didn’t sin. Born under irregular circumstances, driven out in the wilderness to prepare for his life’s work by fasting for forty days and being tempted by the devil. He was a rebel. Constantly at odds with the religious leaders of his day. Caused a scene at church by overturning the tables of those making money in the temple. He lived a full real life like that described in the reading I read in Ecclesiastes. We’re born, we die, we break down, build up, weep, laugh, mourn and dance, we love, we hate. Jesus experienced it all. Betrayed by a close friend, falsely accused of religious crimes, condemned by a kangaroo court, flogged within an inch of his life, crucified. Jesus knew how hard and unfair life can be. Yet, he always encouraged people to go for it—hit the road, let the wind whip through your hair, make a difference—enjoy a super-abundant life.
Remember this? (Played the first minute or so of Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild https://youtu.be/5UWRypqz5-o)
That’s Canadian rockers Steppenwolf playing Born to be Wild. That song was released just a few years after Colleen was born and became the theme for the movie Easy Rider. It came to my mind as I prepared for this and thought about Colleen and her love of motorbike riding (not to mention the white water rafting, sky diving, shooting off guns, thrill riding and Foam Festing—that I read about earlier). I think the lyrics in that song capture the spirit of Jesus’ words and how he said them. When he spoke people got stirred up. They were offended. They argued and tried to catch him out. They are words people like Colleen and folks who like to ride motorbikes get (although I’m not sure you associate them with Jesus—but from now on, and when you remember Colleen, I hope you do). Think of it:
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Okay, I admit it—the gun firing is a bit problematic—but Colleen did enjoy the shooting range. And I suspect the so-called “love” Canadian rocker, John Kay and Steppenwolf are singing about isn’t the for-God-so-loved-the-world kind Jesus talks about. But it could be and it should be. So hit the road. Get out there. Love one another. Bless. Serve. Help.
The song goes on:
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
Nature is part of God’s good creation. We are all born into God’s good, natural created order. Colleen was. You were, so was I.
“We can climb so high,” sings Kay.
We can. We can climb to the heights of human endeavor just by being good friends, by being good employees and bosses. We can write books and songs. We can love our husbands and wives well no matter what. We can take on the risks and joys of parenting—if that’s not looking for adventure and being wild, I don’t know what is. We can ride motorbikes, for heaven’s sake. And,
“I never wanna die,” the song goes.
Which brings me back to Jesus. Not only are born to be wild, to be adventurous, to live life to the full, but we’re born to live forever—to never die. And just as Jesus said in that reading from John’s gospel, he is The Way to have a life that never ends, he is The Truth that never dies, and he gives The Life that never ends in one of those rooms in his Father’s house. That’s how high we can climb with Jesus if we never want to die.
One day the Bible says the heavens will open and Jesus will coming riding on a white horse with eyes like a flame of fire. Written on his robes and thigh will be his colours which will say King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19.11-12). But, with all you motorbike riders present, I wonder what would Jesus ride in the meantime? I reckon it would be a Triumph. That would be the ride for The One who has triumphed over sin and death and before whom one day every knee shall bow. Why not ride with and for him. King Jesus.
Colleen knew about him, so does her family. So get your spiritual motors running, head out on the faith highway, look for the kind of adventure that makes the wind of heaven blow through your hair. Be a little wild and crazy. Make it happen now. As days like this remind us, tomorrow could be too late. That would be a good way to honour Colleen’s memory and to get connected with the rider from heaven, the triumphant one, Jesus.
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