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We gather today to pay our last respects to Constable Frankie O'Reilly; to give thanks to God for his life and for the special contribution he made in touching the lives of so many. We also give thanks to God for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who said: 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."
It is to Frankie's wife Janice, to his children Steven, Gary and Sarah; to his father Frankie, his mother Eilish and brother Damien, and to all the family circle that we extend our sincere Christian sympathy at this time of tragic loss.
It was in the early hours of Sunday morning, September 6, that I received the sad news that Frankie was critically ill due to injuries he sustained while on duty in Portadown. And it was with the deepest regret we learned that he finally lost the well fought battle for life when he passed away on Tuesday afternoon.
It was an encouragement to us that, despite his horrific injuries, there were times during the past weeks when Frankie clearly had the capacity to think and understand. It was an encouragement to us that he was able to communicate his love for his family through gestures and scribbled notes.
I hope that in those times of consciousness that the ministry of God's word and the prayers of God's people were a blessing and comfort to him.
I hope that in ministering to him, although weak in body, that he was strengthened in spirit and deepened in faith.
It would be remiss not to express our deep appreciation to the doctors and nurses in the Royal Victoria Hospital for the loving and intensive care given to Frankie since the beginning of September. Everything that could have been done, medically, was done, and we are grateful for all their ministrations.
Many tributes have been paid to Frankie already. Today I would echo the sentiments of those who knew and loved him. He made a very unique and positive contribution in life. He readily endeared himself to all those with whom he came in contact.
Nothing seemed to be a problem to him. Nothing appeared to give him reason to complain. His colleagues knew him to be happy-go-lucky, open, friendly and hospitable.
His family knew him as a loving and dedicated husband to Janice and a careful and dedicated father to Steven, Gary and Sarah. He is remembered as a loving son, a close brother and a good neighbour and friend to many. He was a wonderful character and he will be sadly missed.
These should have been the happiest days for the family. The safe arrival of a baby daughter, Sarah, the exciting stage of seeing Gary start school, the joy of seeing Steven growing up and developing his personality, are all reasons to rejoice. But sadly the dark spectre of death has invaded this lovely family and stolen a man who was very dearly loved.
The sadness of this death is made all the more poignant considering the circumstances which caused it.
Constable Frankie O'Reilly was a public servant who had been entrusted with upholding the rule of law and order. As a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary he was a conscientious and dedicated officer who served both communities and made the supreme sacrifice when he gave his life in the execution of his duty.
There can be no justification whatsoever for this senseless waste of a young life, and those who orchestrate, and indeed perpetrate such heinous deeds must know that no cause has been advanced. Such action is not 'For God and Ulster' for it clearly glorifies neither. This is the manifestation of a depraved and fallen sinful people. The word of God is clear: 'The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, disensions and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God" - These are the acts of sinful nature.
We have a God of revelation, not of speculation, and so this much we know.... there will be a day of judgment, and before that day of reckoning there must be honest repentance before God and turning from sin.
God did not send us a politician because man's greatest need is not political. God did not send us an educationalist because mans greatest need is not educational. God did not send us an economist because mans greatest need is not financial. God sent us a saviour because man's fundamental problem is sin which manifests itself in hatred, division, disunity and inhumanity to man.
We need to know in this land that 'righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people.' We need the Prince of peace to rule the hearts of people. We need the mind of Christ to be the guiding influence in all our thoughts. Then God in His mercy, might come down and bless us.
I want to assure you that despite the heartache you have known in these last days and weeks, the nature and character of our sovereign God is unchanged and unchanging. The Psalmist David was one who was not unacquainted with grief, yet he had a confidence in God which banished his fears regardless of the circumstances.
The Psalmist, David, knew the constant threat of danger. He knew the sustained opposition from his enemies yet he had confidence that God was his ultimate security force.
In Psalm 27 he writes:
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
When my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."In the midst of the worst situations imaginable, be confident that God is the light dispelling the darkness, God is the one who ultimately brings salvation and victory. The Eternal God is our refuge.
He knew the pain of losing his only son to death at the hands of cruel men. Jesus Christ knew the agony, the cross and the pain of separation when he cried out "My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me?" But after the horror of Good Friday there came a resurrection morning when God vindicated the work of His son.
The hope of the gospel is that all who have put their faith and trust in Christ's finished work share there some benefits.
The English Methodist, Leslie Weatherhead, was asked on one occasion, "How many Christians died during the blitz in London during the Second World War." He replied, "Many Christians were killed, but none of them died." The hope of the gospel is firmly rooted in Christ who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."
The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
His confidence was in knowing God's ultimate protection. "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling, he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle."
He lifted his gaze from the troubled arena of a sin sick world towards the Eternal God.
- His faith was strengthened when he sought the Lord. "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
- His faith was strengthened when he called on the Lord "Teach me your way O Lord; lead me in a straight path."
- His faith was strengthened when he waited on the Lord and was able to look to better and brighter days ahead, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
When C.S. Lewis lost someone near and dear to him, he wanted to ask God 'Why?' At that time he sensed God saying to him: "If I told you, you wouldn't understand, someday you might - even then you may not. But for now all you have to do is trust me."
Today as we mourn the passing of Frankie O'Reilly may we know God's loving presence. May we have the faith to trust His sovereign purposes, that it was:
"With mercy and with judgment
my web of time He wove
and Aye, the dews of sorrow were
lustred by His love
So I'll bless the hand that guided,
I'll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.You will come here today with your own special memories of Frankie O'Reilly. Your presence this afternoon is indicative of the esteem in which he was held.
His passing is a solemn reminder to us all at the brevity of life and the fragility of life. It reminds us that we are all mortal, like a mist that appears for a while and then vanishes.
His sudden passing is a solemn reminder that we need to be ready for that time when Jesus comes or calls.
Oftentimes people are surprised by the amount of new housing being erected in the village. New houses are built at the back of the Church's graveyard. At a time like this I almost invariably recall the story of the small boy who took a short cut to his house through the graveyard. When he was asked "Are you not afraid passing all those graves on your own". He replied, "Not at all, I'm not afraid , because my home is on the other side." Today we need to have that same confidence that at the grave, our home is on the other side.
That assurance can only come through committing our lives to God and trusting in Christ's finished work, that accomplished hell subdued and hope of heaven.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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