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 Rev. Peter J. Gomes in 1999, at a celebration marking his 25th anniversary at Harvard's Memorial Church.
March 2nd, 2011
11:03 AM ET
Remembering Harvard's chaplain: Gergen on GomesBy David Gergen, Senior Political Analyst The death of the Rev. Peter Gomes, as a colleague told me yesterday, is Harvard’s loss and heaven’s gain. Over three and a half decades, Peter became the embodiment of spirituality at the university, imparting to generations of students that their purpose was not to make a living but a life. To Peter, the meaning of Easter is not about life after death but about the life you lead before death - that Jesus called upon his followers to live life "abundantly." And that Peter did every day, inviting others to join him not only in serious talk but in hearty laughter.
"The ultimate weapon," he wrote, "in the face of evil or sorrow, sadness or death, is not stoic virtue and the stiff upper lip but laughter, for where laughter is, God cannot be far away." There is no laughter at Harvard today: sadness is everywhere. We have lost a national treasure. But in years to come, we will tell our grandchildren stories about Peter, his deep friendship and his twinkle, and we will smile again, knowing he cannot be far away. |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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aye and you are classless
He would have taught gays to repent and change the sinful lifestyles if he were a Christian. (Luke 18)
very nice to say about a dead guy justina
Whether alive or dead, wrong is wrong. Read Matthew 5:19, 18:6.
The truth is the truth. You can't call yourself a Reverend, or even a Christian , if you don't live by the Word of the Man you say you serve.
Because of him, publishing Gay Christian Publishing companies like NuWine Press exist today. He was a pioneer in a wilderness that needed – and continues to need – pioneers. Thank you Rev. gomes.
Amen.
We all benefit from men and women like Rev. Gomes. May he rest in peace.
Very well put. A huge loss of a great man.