A peacemaking funeral

The Saturday funeral service for New York Police Department Officer Rafael Ramos at his church, Christ Tabernacle in Queens, featured speeches from politicians, but it also was filled with the message of the gospel. The thousands gathered recited the Lord’s Prayer, singers sang “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and pastors from throughout the city prayed for healing for the Ramos family and New York itself.

Christ Tabernacle Executive Pastor Adam Durso opened the service with prayer.

“You are the God who brings peace, You are Immanuel, God with us,” he said. “In our deepest sorrow, You are still sovereign God who sits on his throne. … You know our tears. … Abide with us, bring comfort to the family, bring healing to our city.”

Last Saturday, Officer Ramos was murdered alongside his partner Officer Wenjian Liu as they sat in their patrol car. The assailant, who claimed to be taking revenge for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, fled into a subway station and killed himself.

Thousands of police officers gathered outside the church during Ramos’ funeral, and Christ Tabernacle live-streamed video of the funeral to thousands across the country. The church had held a wake for Ramos the previous evening. Liu’s funeral has not been scheduled yet, as the family awaits the arrival of relatives from China.

Ramos’ survivors include his wife, Maritza, and two sons, Justin and Jaden. Justin is a sophomore at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and Jaden is in middle school. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at the funeral and noted that the boys were New York Mets fans.

“It means they are really tough and really committed and really, really loyal,” he said, drawing laughter from the congregation based in Queens, where the Mets play.

Ramos had been an active member of Christ Tabernacle for 14 years, serving as an usher and in the marriage and life group ministries. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking at the funeral, said that Ramos loved “blasting Spanish gospel music from his car,” drawing cheers from the congregation.

“Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your path,” said Christ Tabernacle Senior Pastor Michael Durso quoting Proverbs 3:6. “That was a trust that Officer Ramos had.”

The officer was scheduled to graduate from the New York chaplain training program the day after he was killed. On Saturday, New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, in an emotional eulogy, appointed Ramos as honorary department chaplain for the 84th precinct where Ramos served.

After announcing Ramos’ appointment, Bratton issued a plea to the city in his gravelly Boston accent.

“We don’t see each other—the people, the police, the people who are angry at the police, the people who support us—we don’t see each other,” he said. “If we could learn to see each other, then when we see each other, we’ll heal. We’ll heal as a department, we’ll heal as a city, we’ll heal as a country. Wouldn’t that be the ultimate honor for Officers Ramos and Liu? That their deaths would help us heal.”

After the officials wrapped up their remarks, Pastor Michael Durso preached about the Christmas story, talking about the angels proclaiming “peace on earth” to the shepherds.

“The angels weren’t saying at that time that there was peace,” he said, referring to the tyranny of the Roman Empire. “It wasn’t referring to the national peace, the global peace. It was referring to the Immanuel, the Christ child that was born that night. It wasn’t very peaceful for Joseph and Mary … and yet peace was spoken. That story tells me that there are times we face tough things, but when Christ is with us, Immanuel, there’s a peace that sustains us.”

Durso went on to talk about the night before Jesus’ death, when He talked about peace with His disciples despite His impending crucifixion.

“The apostle Paul writes, ‘He is our peace,’” Durso said.