This homily was preached at the Burial Service for Charles Nicholas “Nico” Wester (July 25, 1983 – March 6, 2024) on May 25, 2024 by Fr. Daniel London at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA.
Readings for the Burial Service
- Isaiah 25:6-9
- Revelation 21:2-7
- John 14:1-6
We gather today to give thanks for the life of Charles Nicholas (Nico) Wester, a beloved child of God for whom we also grieve. We give thanks for the joy that he brought into the lives of so many people, especially his family and all the dear friends that he so easily made since making friends was one of his superpowers. We also give thanks for the joy he brought into the lives of all the animals whom he loved, all creatures great and small whom Nico sheltered and cared for. Julie told me that Nico’s pets throughout his life included an iguana, rabbits, snakes, mice, rats, turtles, fish and, of course, cats and dogs. Cats named Loki and Raven; and dogs named Layla, Hoover, and Chopper, to name a few.
It is appropriate that as Julie and I were discussing this service, her dog Macy was hanging out with my obnoxiously loud Yorkies; and although my dogs were driving me a bit crazy at the time, I imagine Nico would have enjoyed their presence. And his love for animals inspired us to include the hymn “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small” as the final hymn for today’s service. It’s also appropriate that, according to the church calendar, Nico was born on the feast day of St. James the Apostle, a saint whom we know was dearly loved by his mother, who wanted the absolute best for him.[1] According to legend, James was also the first saint to receive a vision from the Holy Mother Mary while evangelizing Spain accompanied by a beloved canine friend, a companionship that led to St. James becoming the patron saint of veterinarians. Nico was born on the feast day of the patron saint of veterinarians which is so apt since Nico had a passion for animals and worked at the Viva animal shelter in Lompoc; and he rescued numerous animals from the streets even when he was only 8 years old. Nico knew how to love God’s creatures and according to the great German mystic Meister Eckhart, “A person who knew nothing but creatures would never need to attend any sermons, for every creature is full of God and every creature is a holy book.”[2]
Tragically, St. James was also the first apostle to be martyred and was believed to be in his 40s when he died; and although Nico lived a good life, he died way too young. And so, we grieve. We grieve for as much and for as long as we need, knowing that grief is an expression of love. Grief is “all the love you want to give but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is love with no place to go.” There is no right or wrong way to grieve. The way you grieve is the right way. And we especially offer our love and prayers to Nico’s parents Julie and Charles, knowing that the death of a child is the worst experience a parent can endure. We grieve because Jesus himself grieved when he wept for his friend Lazarus even though he knew that resurrection was only moments away. We grieve, but we do not grieve as those without hope because on this day we also rest in the promise of the resurrection. Nico knew love, and love is the way, the truth, and the life which Christ so perfectly embodied; and it is through love that we come to the Father; and it is in that love that Nico now rests and shines. The love that we have for our children or for our beloved pets is just a drop in the ocean of the love that God has for Nico.
I have sat beside too many death beds and heard way too many Near Death Experiences to doubt that Nico is now enjoying the most glorious light and playful love that we could ever imagine. Although we grieve, we also celebrate the earthly life that Nico experienced here and the heavenly life that he now enjoys. And I trust Nico is indeed enjoying the heavenly life because as Pope Francis says, “One day, we will see our beloved animals again in the eternity of Christ because Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” And those who have had Near Death Experiences confirm that we will indeed see our beloved pets on the other side. Nico, I believe, has been greeted on the Rainbow Bridge by all his pets who have passed on and by his family and friends who have passed on, by all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful for the Lord his God made and loves him and loves them all. Amen.
[1] Matthew 20:20-21.
[2] Meister Eckhart, Sermon on Sirach 50:6-7 [1]
DANIEL DeFOREST LONDON 