Homily: Funeral for Bob Snodgrass
“Heaven: The First Day of the Rest of Your Life”
by Fr. William Holtzinger
Sept. 22, 2004

Today we celebrate the life death and life again of Bob Snodgrass. In the name of Bob’s family, thank you for coming to pray and celebrate such a great man. He is your Husband, Dad, Step-dad, Father-in-law, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Friend, and Parishioner.

The Scriptures today were planned by the family to express something about Bob and his life -- a life that was marked by Christ’s love which gave him hope and joy. I hope that I may offer us all some comfort and be able to meet Bob’s standards for a “good sermon.”

In his memoirs entitled, “An Interview with Robert M. Snodgrass,” Bob’s earliest memory included “....being the Christ child in a St. Ignatius Christmas play.” What an amazing first memory, for in that memory Bob summed up his vocation or purpose in life: to be another Christ. We call this, in theological terms, an alter christus. It is the source and destination of us all. It’s amazing that Bob’s earliest memory was so connected to his very purpose of living.

Today, it is our hope and prayer that Bob is reaping the reward, the gift, of his faithful life of service. It is for this reason that we gather: to pray for that intention and to be lifted up, ourselves, in our grief. But what does it mean to be in heaven? What images are conjured up when we think about eternity? I certainly don’t pretend to know the answer in any fullness. Yet, maybe it is more than the fluffy clouds and pearly gates that we so often imagine.

For Bob, maybe it means no longer being weighed down by his aging body. Maybe it is an experience where time has no meaning and thus age is nonsensical. So could it be a place where roller hockey, softball, baseball, and sledding in the snow are just the beginning? Could it be a place where his pranks always come out right and nobody gets hurt? Could it be a place where the bed is never too small and the questions of childhood are no longer questions? Could it be an experience that was once foreshadowed by the thrill of 1929 Model “A” Ford going 130 miles per hour? Heaven is a mystical place.

Could it be like a place that was once described as a garden of eden, a garden that only 7-Dees Nursery could begin to imitate? Could it be a place where bamboo reaches to the sky and the foliage surrounds the altar of our God? Could it be a place where money means nothing and “happiness and peace of mind” are the state of being for all? Could it be a place where the bride and bridegroom are never late for their own wedding reception and all of the guest are there? Could it be a place where playing tennis requires no practice and competition lifts everyone up in friendship? Heaven is a mystical place.

Could it be a place where Bob can finally spend every moment with each of his loved ones and not lack for time to spend eternity with each of you? Could it be a place where you cannot make a wrong turn, whether it be on Willamina or any other road? Could it be a place where perfection and joy always cover a multitude of mess-ups? Could it be a place where you can always look another in the eyes when talking, have a firm and sincere handshake, and know that you’ve spoken the truth? Could it be that heaven is the greatest gift that you all gave to Bob by your love and sacrifice, especially in these last several days? Could it be an experience that Merle and Jeanette’s love only foreshadowed? Could heaven be only entered when the curtain of your life has been pulled down and then you realize that it is the first day of the rest of your life?

For Robert M. Snodgrass, who’s earliest memories of childhood are of playing the child Jesus, it is our hope and faith that today truly is the first day of the rest of his eternal life. It is because of the One Christ Child that Bob had lived such a faith-filled and hopeful life. Could it be that a part of heaven was sent to earth in a fallible yet undeniably lovable man named Robert?

I don’t know much about heaven, but could it be that Bob showed us all through his life what eternal life might be like. I think so.

I pray that we may we all be more giving and less selfish because of his example. I pray that we always strive to keep our priorities right and our hopes set high. For one day, the curtain of our own lives will close, and then we too may realize that today is the first day of the rest of our lives.