John died this morning at 9:30 am when the doctors removed his resperator.
I knew him just a few weeks, but he made quite an impression. I regret his leaving, but rejoice in his new life.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant John. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everylasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

There was a guy that just started showing up at chapel a few months ago – the daily offices, daily Eucharist, Compline, etc. After a time and after seeing him in the library, I introduced myself and we got to know one another. He lives here in Chelsea about a block from the seminary and over the past year has been home bound by a strange illness effecting his heart. He told me that during his illness he used to say the daily office over the Internet, but now that he was recovering he came to the seminary to be with real people once again. John is a great guy, and I am amazed that he maintains such a positive and upbeat attitude.
About three weeks ago, John returned to the hospital because of some strange back pains. Doctors discovered that he has Hodgkin’s Disease. He started chemotherapy. I was surprised to see him at a local coffee shop a week ago last Tuesday (May 31st). He had undergone his first round of chemotherapy and was as positive and upbeat as ever. We planned to get together when I returned from Ohio. Yesterday, June 12th, a mutual friend told me that John has returned to the hospital and has been given only a couple days to live. He is now on a ventilator and is unconscious. I am in shock.
Life is so fragile. I am amazed at the resilience of the human body, the soul, the will for life. Yet, life is so fragile. Please pray for John and his family. I have witness seemingly miraculous recoveries of cancer patients (even last summer during CPE!). All things are possible for God, but in all things God’s will be done. If it is John’s time, I know that though he is absent from his body he is present with Christ. For a Christian, the end is no more.