If you didn't already love John how could you not fall in love with him after seeing his picture on the cover of the bulletin? The wistful smile and the sense that any second he is going to push off the ground, pump and pick up speed is captured perfectly. Our personalities are formed pretty early in life. If you substitute motorcycle handlebars for the swing's chains the adult John fits in the same picture quite handily.

And the boy's wistful smile grew into a quiet compassion that would move an older John across town to shovel snow for aging relatives and mow lawns for other unrelated older people at no charge. Like the arc of that swing on which he sat as a boy, John would move out to the far edge of town and come back again - time after time - picking up speed as he traveled.

It was John's nature to connect with people. Evelyn put it this way, "John knew no strangers." John would walk up to strangers in military service to thank them. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. Even in the hospital in his last days John was swinging forward, looking from a higher vantage point and seeking to make contact with others. A nurse who came to assess John's well being found him inquiring about hers.

A swing provides rich material to describe John's life but let me switch metaphors for a moment. Let's consider the joy and value of label less can. It is a fine art to shake and turn these discounted beauties to discern what may be in them. There is a thrill in a bargain and an excitement in discovery. Can't you just picture John looking up into space and listening as he tipped a can this way and that?

It's a mystery waiting to be solved; a treasure waiting to be found. Will the can you thought held cling peaches turn out to be tomatoes or pork and beans? You can only know by making the purchase and opening the can. John loved the label less cans of life - flea markets, the crowds in places that offered free hors d'oevres, anywhere that had a bargain, a mystery and people with whom he could connect.

In our Gospel reading Jesus said to Thomas that Jesus goes ahead of us to prepare a place in God's house for us. Thomas is concerned that Thomas doesn't know the way there. Jesus makes clear that the way there is dependent on relationship not knowledge. This is good news for us dented cans, for those who sit on the swing of life as it moves us from joy to sorrow and back again.

Every act of compassion moves us higher and higher. Every time we connect the stories of Scripture to our lives, or give thanks or cry for help in prayer we are tipping and shaking a handful of mystery seeking to discover what is hidden inside. God is there, waiting for us, wanting to be known.

John has done what children love to do. He has swung to the top of the arc and leapt from the swing. And Christ who loves all of God's children has caught him. They have walked to our Father's house - a place full of mystery, where the hor d'oevres are always free and love never ends. Let us give thanks for John life and love, and for our God who yearns to catch us all. AMEN