Sermon: RIP – Mary Alice Stalcup

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Link to Obituary

I came across a poem that I thought Mary Alice would like, but also one that feels as though she lived it. It is often attributed to St. Augustine, but it is much more contemporary than that. It was written in the early 20th century by German musician and teacher Georg Goetsch. The title: I Praise the Dance.

I praise the dance,
for it frees people from the heaviness of matter
and binds the solitary to community.
I praise the dance,
which demands everything:
health and a clear spirit,
a poised soul and a shining body.
The dance transforms the soul
into a dwelling of light.

O human, learn to dance,
for otherwise the angels in heaven
will not know what to do with you.

The dance is wholly from the beginning.
It is the movement of creation itself,
the becoming of all things,
their passing and their re-becoming.
The dance turns the deepest, holiest things
into visible and living form.

Dance,
because the whole of creation dances:
the sun, the stars, the earth—
they all move in rhythm and harmony.
So too should you move in rhythm with God.

The author told us,

O human, learn to dance,
for otherwise the angels in heaven
will not know what to do with you.

I can assure you, you do not want to see me dance. It’s not pretty, but I do understand the deeper meaning of the author’s message. 

He is telling us that in this life, we are meant to find joy. We should learn not only to experience God through prayer and study but also to encounter Him in the people we meet. We are called to seek out ways in this lifetime to love, show compassion, practice our faith, and give of ourselves. Living this way allows those around us to experience glimpses of heaven—the eternal life to come. From what I’ve learned, Mary Alice was just such a person. She was one who learned how to dance in her soul and showed others how to do the same.

You might think that someone who has lived such a life would face no troubles, but we know that’s not true. I recall the time St. Teresa of Avila was crossing a stream in winter. She lost her footing and fell into the icy water, then complained to the Lord about all her suffering. Jesus said to her, “Don’t complain, my daughter, this is how I treat My friends.” To which Teresa responded, “If this is how you treat your friends, it’s no wonder you have so few!” 

Mary Alice, also a friend of Jesus, had every reason to complain just as St. Teresa did, but like St. Teresa, Mary Alice did not lose her faith. She heard those words of Jesus we read in our Gospel and lived them—“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Despite her suffering, she held onto her belief, her faith in Jesus, so that on this day, we can confidently say that she is dancing with the angels in God’s Eternal Kingdom.

Those of us gathered here today are saddened by our loss, but we can also rejoice in knowing that Mary Alice, through the power of the resurrection, is now truly home. We can also rejoice in the knowledge that a place has been prepared for us, and on the day of the Lord’s choosing, he will gather us to Himself, where we will all be reunited in the very presence of His glory. As the Psalmist declares, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”