Homily - Kyunghi Snyder

Hymn of Comfort

Face to Face

Introduction

Today, we gather to celebrate a life that was not ordinary, but extraordinary—a life marked by courage in the face of chaos, by conviction in the face of conflict, by Christ in the center of every choice.

Kyunghi Snyder was born in Seoul, one of nine, yet she stood out as one in a million. 

She faced the darkness of war, but never let it darken her hope.

She studied law until the world was interrupted by violence, but her thirst for knowledge never ran dry.

She taught world literature, but her greatest lesson was her own life—one chapter after another, written in faith, resilience, and love. 

From Korea to Hawaii, from Hawaii to New York, she walked the path less traveled, and she walked it upright.

She was outspoken, willful, and unafraid to speak truth—her strength was a pillar to her family, her community, and her church.

Kyunghi was a homemaker who built more than a house; she built a haven. 

Her hands sewed comfort, her mind sought justice, her heart welcomed the stranger.

Even as she faced hearing loss, she listened with her spirit—never letting any obstacle silence her faith or her service.

The Immoralist: Wrestling With Life’s Questions

Kyunghi loved literature, especially André Gide’s “The Immoralist.” 

Gide’s story asks what it means to live authentically, to search for meaning beyond the surface.

But where the novel’s hero searched for self, Kyunghi found her purpose in service.

Where the world says, “Live for yourself,” she declared, “Live for God, for family, and for others!”

She did not run from life’s questions—she faced them, and she wrestled her answers out of faith.

Scripture of Encouragement

Today, Let us take comfort in the words of Revelation 21:4 where it declares:

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Family, hold on!

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

God Himself will dry your tears.

Face to Face: Our Blessed Hope

In a moment, remeber the words of the song Face to Face.

That’s not just a hymn—it’s a promise!

One day, if we surrender our lives to Jesus, we will stand face to face—not only with our Savior, but with Kyunghi, and all the loved ones who have walked this path of faith.

Death is not the end.

Death is the doorway.

The grave is not goodbye—it’s see you soon!

So let us remember Kyunghi: her strength, her love, her faith.

Let us live as she lived—bold, devoted, and ready to meet our Savior face to face.

May her memory give us courage.

May her faith give us hope.

And may her Savior give us peace—until that glorious day, when we shall all stand face to face.

Amen.

Committal for Kyunghi Snyder

Beloved family and friends, we now come to this sacred moment—to commit Kyunghi Snyder to her rest, as we commit our hearts to the hope of resurrection.

Kyunghi’s journey began in the bustling heart of Seoul and carried her across oceans, across history, across the pages of her own remarkable story. 

She lived with conviction, she loved with courage, and she served with compassion.

She has finished her race, she has kept the faith, and she now awaits her crown.

As we lay her body to rest, we remember the words of Jesus in John 11:25:

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.”

This is not the final word—this is a pause, a promise, a proclamation of hope.

Just as Kyunghi believed, we believe: that Christ will call, and the faithful will rise;

that this grave is not goodbye, but see you soon;

that we will all stand face to face—no more sorrow, no more pain, no more tears, only joy in the presence of our Lord.

So we lay her down in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

We commit her body to the earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust—trusting that she rests in the arms of Jesus, awaiting that glorious morning when all God’s children are called home.Until then, let us live as Kyunghi lived—faithful, fearless, and full of the blessed hope.

Amen.