President Jimmy Carter’s Funeral
Washington National Cathedral
January 9, 2025
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
The actions we take in life are described in many ancient languages and ideas. I took Latin in the 10th grade believing it would be important for a career in medicine. It seemed to be of minimal help until I was faced with a task of understanding the stories of maternal deaths in an Egyptian research study.. The latin phrase “mortui vivos docent”, “Let the dead teach the living” became the justification for that report.
The recent book by Delphine Horvilleur,. Living with Our Dead, describes her encounters with death as a rabbi. She uses her cultural, language and historical knowledge to unlock the dilemmas of our lives and deaths. She is deeply aware of our contemporary culture that seems to be “at a loss for words”. Here is what she said:
“Finding the words and knowing the gestures is at the heart of my work.”
Delphine Horvilleur
This last week, the world was witness to two reports, eulogies, from the grave. It was a powerful teaching moment with words of resurrection that brought hope and healing in these difficult times.
Thanks for the life and witness of President Jimmy Carter,
Marvin
References:
Kane TT, El-Kady AA, Saleh S, Hage ML, Stanback J, Potter L: Maternal Mortality in Giza, Egypt: Magnitude, Causes, and Prevention. Studies in Family Planning. 23: 45-57. January/February 1992.
Horvilleur, Delphine. Living with Our Dead: On Loss and Consolation (p. 9). Europa Editions. Kindle Edition.
Hage, M. L. (2023). Pandemic Mourning.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2023/10/pandemic-mourning.html
Steve Ford reading his father’s eulogy to Jimmy Carter. Washington National Cathedral 1/9/2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFPBdoE7RBQ&t=5s
Walter Mondale's son, Ted Mondale, eulogizes Jimmy Carter, Washington National Cathedral, 1/9/2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9z4CfN2wO0
