Please note, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is rated PG-13. Years ago when I was in discernment about my path forward in ministry, I turned to a former bishop of mine, The Rt. Rev. Bob Miller, for advice. Bishop Miller's wife was my religion teacher in school, and part of their family looked in on me from time to time when I was in college, so we had gotten very close. At the time, Bishop Miller was going through some treatments at the time, for what I don't remember. He was in good health considering though and in good spirits. He was a huge help to me, and had a profound impact on my way forward in discerning my call to ordained ministry. Then suddenly, and slightly unexpected, he died. Because of my relationship with him and his help toward me in his final days, I made sure to be there for his burial service. The attitude of all those around me, particularly at the reception following the service, has stayed with me. It was joyful. It was joyful not because a man and bishop we all loved was dead. It was joyful because of who Bishop Miller was and who Bob continues to be in our Lord Jesus Christ. It was joyful because Bob was now with our Lord in the life to come. I remember thinking: "I want people to be like this at my funeral." This is why I am so fond of T'Challa's burial in Wakanda Forever. The scene is joyous with dancing. The people are wearing white, just as we wear white in Christian burial. We wear white because it is a color of Resurrection. It is the color of Easter. It is the color we wear when we are baptized. It is the color of the robes that those who serve at the altar wear. It is the color of the pall over the coffin. It is a reminder to us of the Scripture in Revelation 7:14, that we are washed "white in the blood of the lamb." It reminds us that Jesus' death has made us whole and given us a new life after this one is over. There is a lot of reason to have joy even in the sadness of death. It is because of where the dead are going. T'Challa's body rising to the air at the end of the burial is a great sign of this. It is a sign that he ascends to the Ancestral Plane just as we will ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven to be with our Lord and all the saints before us. Now The Book of Common Prayer reminds us that it is not unchristian to mourn or grieve. Yet at the same time, it reminds us that this service is characterized by joy. T'Challa's burial helps us remember that. Would that we all could pass from this life to the next with a spot of joy. In a God-moment, I am reminded, after drafting this post, that Bishop Miller passed from this life 14 years ago today. How strange and miraculous the Spirit works! Disclaimer: unless otherwise stated, the majority of images produced here are not owned or created by me. Commenting is encouraged. Please use discretion leaving comments below, letting the love of God guide you.
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