This  memorial was originally delivered at a small, private in fact, celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the K-House Chapel during the night of December 20, 2003.  The celebrant was the Rev. Pr. Andrew Weisner, STS  and the homilist was Bro. Benjamin Adam Roberts, most recently of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate.  Both of these men were privileged to be the Bishop’s student, and were even more privileged to call him a friend.  As the first anniversary of the Bishop’s entry into glory approaches, it seems only fitting to share this reflection with those who were also similarly graced.

The last time I saw the Bishop Michael was the 7^th of August 2002.  Pastor Weisner came from Hickory to my apartment in Charlotte so that I might join him on a pastoral and personal visit to Bishop McDaniel at Carolinas Medical Center.  It was only fitting that Andrew should go to lay hands on Michael, for on Andrew had Michael laid hands.  Dressed in cassock, surplice, and stole, Pastor Weisner anointed his Bishop, and laid on hands that the prayer of faith might raise him up.  It was truly moving that as soon as Andrew withdrew his hands, Michael insisted that Marjorie be anointed too, for he knew, as we know, that just as she had shared so profoundly in his ministry, so too she shared in his sufferings.

I had brought a small holy card of the Blessed Mother, the Pieta in fact, for the Bishop’s room.  While it may seem a bit odd to bring a Lutheran bishop such an item, anyone who had been graced to dine at the McDaniel home would know that he had an image of Mary in every room of the house.  I thought that he probably didn’t have one for his hospital room, and I thought this great man of tradition would appreciate it.  For that small act, I will take some credit.  For what happened next, only the Holy Spirit may be praised.

After Pastor Weisner gave communion to Michael and Marjorie, I , as usual, was helping him remove his stole and surplice.  Taking the stole in my hands, I was moved by the Spirit.  I place the stole around the neck of the Bishop Michael, I knelt, and asked for his blessing.  As his hand rested on my head, I sensed that power was going out of him, and that I would not likely have this opportunity again.  He noticed Pastor Weisner standing behind me, and quickly informed him that there was blessing for him as well.  The Pastor now knelt beside me.  As we rose, Michael said to me, “Thank you, dear friend.”  Thank You, Dear Friend.

Called the next day and informed that I had been accepted into formation for the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, I have often wondered in the past year and a half if it was Michael’s blessing that was the last thing I needed before embarking on religious life.  Often in formation I have reflected on the great gifts and example I received from Bishop Michael.  So often when we speak of great preachers, I think of him, and how we saw, that indeed “the Spirit of the Lord was upon him.”  And yet, I cannot help but think that we saw God’s presence in him more profoundly in these last years when he was drawn ever closer to the cross of his Savior.  Truly we have seen the Father’s love, for we were graced to call Michael our Bishop, teacher, and friend.

Just yesterday, as I was flying home for the Christmas holiday, I received a brief phone message from Pastor Weisner.  He said, simply and emotionally, “Last night, a great voice of the Gospel, fell silent.”  And in response I can only  turn to the words of Von Dohlen and St. Anselm, Yes . . . . and No.  Yes, in the sense that we will not hear his voice again in this life.  He has given his final lecture, his final sermon, and his final blessing to us.  And No, his voice cannot fall silent because it continues to echo in Larry, in Andrew, in Nathan, in Sarah, in me, and in all who were taught by him and loved him.  Isaiah tells us that “the Word of the Lord endures forever,” and, I think, inasmuch as our words are a communion, and are in communion, with the Word of God, they too endure forever.

Near the hour when the Bishop Michael left us to meet his Redeemer face to face, the Church prays:

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

And it seems rather fitting, even a bit dramatic, that we can pray:

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Michael in so many ways, who gave him the mission to preach the Gospel in North Carolina, we thank you, for you stretched out your mighty hand, and set him free.

Rest in Peace, dear Friend.  Amen.