Even if we can't name it, most of us probably recognize the music that Jeanne just played. A few notes were probably enough to raise memories of days gone by. Leib could have whistled this music in his sleep because of his long association with schools. Pomp and Circumstance is traditionally played at graduations, that time of ending that comes before new beginnings.

At graduation, a graduate can feel pride in having completed the course of study and those who gather around them know that a celebration is an appropriate response to the graduate's achievement. The ritual of graduation with its particular costumes, music, speech making and giving of diplomas takes little more than an hour. But that brief ritual event celebrates an effort that stretched over a much longer period of time. The ceremony is just a pointer towards something far larger than itself.

One end of that pointer reminds the observer that a thousand acts of discipline, a million points of decision, and innumerable days were required to form the path that leads to the dais on which a diploma is delivered into a graduate's hands. The other end of the pointer is directed at the future- that unknown length of days, full of promise, but cloaked in mystery. Graduation has its full measure of satisfaction but also a dollop of fear hidden under the tossing of hats and the slicing of cake. Any thoughtful graduate knows that they are leaving what they have known for that which they know not. But faith in their preparation and hope in things unseen carry most graduates out of the hall and into the next stage of their journey still glowing.

We are here today for a graduation of sorts. Leib spent years teaching and leading others but in the process was formed himself. Each time he guided a student toward a better outcome he himself was changed. Small acts of kindness or correction burnished Leib's character like agate moving against gold until the light of what he held to be true reflected off him with clarity and strength. There is no perfection in this life, but those who accept responsibility, understand duty and try daily to do the right thing are shaped over time in a way that allows more of the light of Christ to shine from them, and into the lives of others.

Leib was a pillar in this community not just for the individual things of worth he may have done but for his stalwart presence and effort. All of us have stories we will tell each other at the reception after this liturgy. As we do, we'll notice again how Leib's life was intertwined with ours over a long, long time and that in that context the efforts of any individual are amplified by the interactions of the communities in which they dwell.

A funeral is meant to be a time of remembrance and a time of celebration so it is fitting that I include a sentence from the first chapter of Leib's autobiography that details a celebration of sorts on the day of Leib's birth.

It begins like this "the day was July 4th, 1921. The attending physician, Dr. Gerry of Shrewsbury, was slightly inebriated. The extreme heat and humidity did not improve his condition as he rested in the shade of an old English Walnut tree while awaiting my birth."

Leib goes on to write about his days as a student, a teacher, and a principal. His table of contents includes D-Day and Occupational Duty, baseball and banking. But the accounts stop before the end of WWII. That means that it is up to us to remember the rest over food - and hopefully not too much wine - at the reception after this ceremony.

Let me share a couple of views into Leib's life in the church. I think he served on almost every committee that ever was. I know that we would not have 90 acres of land if it were not for his encouragement. From the mounting of events in the parish hall to the installation of radiant heating in this floor, Leib was involved. Leib was a member of the committee that called the previous rector to what turned out to be a 23 year-long pastorate. And Leib was on the committee that called me to come as curate 14 years ago. He may have been on the one that called me as rector. It would be easy to lose count. As an usher he must have guided a million people to their seats over the decades in which he inhabited that role. School principals are good at details, responsible at following through, caring about both individual needs and institutional well-being, and willing to give of themselves to better the community of which they are a part. Good church members have the same attributes, and Leib was both.

The schools of which he was a part produced thousands of graduates. Over time these graduates have literally changed the world. Some have invented things the world had never seen before. Other scaled great heights, either literally or figuratively. Some have done things diligently and quietly, in ways unseen by most, but of great value like diamonds hidden just under the surface. Teachers can never know the full extent of their success. Principals are one more order of magnitude away. But light is light, truth is truth, and the power of what we say and do is great- for good or for ill.

All of us fall and fail - that is part of human nature. Each of us knows what it is to get back up again and keep going because we believe the cause is just, the goal is good, and life is better when we live what we profess to believe. All lives hold both light and shadows- Leib's was no different. I have no doubt that there are things he would do differently if given the chance. Who wouldn't? But if we will let it be so, all but love can fall away- all but light can fade into the growing distance.

Just as the "D" I received in freshman Social Studies became inconsequential at my Graduation, so too the missteps and failures of this life cease to be the focus when one moves on for Higher Education. Running the race faithfully does not mean that every stride is of equal length. It does not even mean that the runner may not stumble.

To run a race faithfully means that one keeps moving in the right direction for as long as there is light. And when evening falls and the shadows lengthen one can hope to hear - as I believe Leib has - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
AMEN