Henry Frank Frieslaar Tribute

A Sermon prepared for the funeral of Father Henry Frieslaar, but was never preached.

Blacksmith Priest

Henry Frank Frieslaar

I am the Vine and you are the branches
his favourite passage
a theology of belonging
of one who gives his life for many
texture of western landscapes
and the grape red sap of celebration
Blacksmith in Simon’s Town dockyard
who wanted to become a priest
vision beyond his station
father stopped all fathering
friends and church, a net, an anchor

tutored by cloitered priests
made him feel unworthy

The blacksmith’s forge
Where Hephaestus mixed
fire and metal to run like water
through incense spitting chambers
weaving his magic into
a sword of life and death
this wonder worker
whose craft fashioned the future
of horse and sea and track
storyteller in dockyard and village

This blacksmith saw the church as his forge
and struck the anvil for his lord
the wonder-worker who weaved his magic
in town and country
the creative craftsman of Christian community
who fanned into flame
the fire of forgiveness and love

so that many of us
found faith, matured like wine
were laughed into a wholeness of being

the dockyard made him a sailor
a yachtsman of lakes and coastline
the ancient mariner of stories tall as a mast
who blessed his inner demons
and found the peace of his being
who saw the Christ playing in those he served
and shared the laughter-stories of his faith

a humble man who thought that he was
not blacksmith enough
not educated enough
not political enough
not humble enough
not Christian enough
not family enough
not holy enough

and that was his goodness
this recognition

but who with the Lord smiling out from him
in that down to earth manly way
a blacksmith-mariner way
flamed us into faith
with goodness
and love

Henry who launched out into the Deep
here in Simon’s Town dockyard
now as you cross over to the other side
with a tug of the whole church
the flags of all our love
we see you amidst the white sailed yachts
and spinnaker crimson catamaran
where the one who calmed the waters stands
waiting to receive you with the cup of welcome.
Man on board
Henry blacksmith, sailor
lover of Irma, Michelle, Andre, Jean and their families
and this beacon of church
now in the ocean of love
where you may find your Peace
Peace beyond all understanding.