A Lesson Before Dying Reverend Mose Ambrose Quotes

"I lie at wakes and funerals to relieve pain." (27.120)

Whoa! The Reverend admits that he lies to the people he is comforting! And he's trying to get Grant to do the same thing, to help relieve Jefferson's and Miss Emma's pain. Is the book trying to make a comment on religion as a comforting lie in general?