Ruth Cheney Wyman RIP

 

Ruth Cheney Wyman, RIP
August 9, 1925 - June 22, 2025
A Celebration of Life
Bigelow Chapel, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, October 24, 2025
The Rev. Nancy E. Gossling

            You may or may not know that Ruth is the name of one of the books in the Bible, specifically found in the Old Testament, and otherwise known as the Hebrew scriptures. Unlike your Ruth’s long history of life, 99 years young, the Ruth in the Bible is a short story. So, knowing that Ruth Cheney Wyman loved both history and telling stories, here are two stories for you this morning: a synopsis of the Biblical Ruth and the salvation story of Jesus, the Christ.

          First of all, Biblical Ruth was a widow and her story is considered “one of the most beautiful pieces of literature in the Bible. In contrast to most other Biblical narratives, the concern of the author seems to be with a private family rather than national or international affairs. The plot revolves around family relationships and the role each member plays in filling the needs of the other members and hence the family as a whole. In particular Biblical Ruth has been interpreted as deriving from the word meaning ‘Friend or Companion.’” (Harper Collins Study Bible, p408)

               Because of today’s celebration of her life, I can thank Ruth Cheney Wyman not only for encouraging me to open my Bible but also to find one of the books in my library by Joan Chittister entitled “The Gift of Years, Growing Older Gracefully.” I also began reading an old magazine from seminary entitled “The Test of Time: The Art of Aging.” Now before you begin to count the gray hairs on my head or the wrinkles on my face, I hasten to inform you that this kind of art and graceful growing older is intended for all ages. Aging is a neverending lifelong process!

          At each age and stage of our lives we can grow. And like any good gardener will tell you (and that’s not me) this graceful growth involves many important things. To name a few, there is the need for good soil, sun and water, occasional pruning, and protection from any kind of destruction. For the plants, flowers, and trees not only to survive but also to flourish we need to be intentional in our care. And as we move through this life, much like the seasons of New England, we are invited to shed some things and take on others. We have choices about how we live: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

As it is written in the book of Ecclesiastes, another book in the Old Testament, there is a time for everything under the sun. “A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. A time to be born and a time to die.” Similarly, the famous monk named St. Francis of Assisi, known for his love of creation, offered a riff on this scripture passage in a prayer attributed to him. He claims that it is not only time to practice these virtues but also to be instruments of these values as well.

His prayer invites us to grow gracefully no matter our age. “Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; and where there is sadness, joy.” A celebration of life should always include joy! And so we remember Ruth Cheney Wyman joyfully today!

Today’s prelude music entitled “Ode to Joy” has become a “timeless symbol of human unity, freedom, and hope. This poem celebrates universal brotherhood, human solidarity, and the joy inherent in life and nature.” (Wikipedia) Unlike the word ‘happy’, joy reflects a deeper emotion. And what is success in life? Ralph Waldo Emerson claimed that it is to live a life filled with joy, love, and positive impact on others. This kind of living was part of Ruthie’s legacy.

According to rabbinic tradition, the main theme of the Biblical book of Ruth is chesed which is the Hebrew word for loyalty or faithfulness arising from commitment. Commitment means that we will make choices about how we express our loyalty and our faithfulness to God and to others. Ruth was a person of commitment and good choices.

Now as Christians, we believe that Jesus incarnated, that is to say, became human, to reveal the love of God, the chesed of God for us. Jesus made a commitment to remain faithful and loyal to God despite the betrayals and violence he endured. And it was his gift of 33 years that has withstood the test of time. We are inheritors of his sacrificial love for us and the legacy of his faithfulness to God.

The grace of God means that we receive the unmerited and undeserved love of God unconditionally. And Jesus revealed to us the Way of Love in divine and human form, and the grace of God in all its fullness. He showed us that our salvation story begins with the creation of life and continues through pain and suffering even through death. His story becomes our story of God’s neverending and eternal love for all people, all creation, and all creatures great and small. This salvation story offers us both joy and hope.

We have choices as to how we live the one, beautiful and precious life that has been given to us. As St. Francis once prayed, ‘Grant that we may not seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.’

          Growing Old Gracefully is the Gift of Years that is ours to receive no matter our age. It is a Test of Time that involves the Art of Aging. And Ruth Cheney Wyman has given us those legacies as we celebrate her life today. True to her form, my thoughts are with her this hour; and I hope that she is listening! Amen.

 Readings:

“To the Consolations of Philosophy” W.S.Merwin
          Anne Elizabeth Wyman (granddaughter)
“What is Success?” Ralph Waldo Emerson
          Marlowe May Coleman (great granddaughter)
 
Recollections:
          Robert Brooke Coleman (grandson)
          Janet Wyman Coleman (daughter)
 
Hymns and Music: Flutist Tim Macri
          Ode to Joy
 J.S. Bach from ‘Largo’
J.S. Bach  from Partita #3 BWV 1006
 
Morning Has Broken
Simple Gifts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

Where is Our Hope?

 

October 5, 2025               Proper 22, Year C            The Rev. Nancy E. Gossling

 For me, there have been far too many deaths in this past month, people I have known and loved. Additionally, there have been far too many violent deaths, as you may well know if you’re plugged into the news. Of note was the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. A single bullet took his life on a college campus. Reactions ranged from silence to outrage. His words resonated with some people and were abhorred by others. There was talk of a spiritual revival and moral revulsion. Who was this guy, and what did he actually say?

          As usual, throughout our country and around the world, there continued to be attacks on churches, synagogues, and mosques. While the pure definition of religion varies, the Latin translation means holding things together, or uniting groups of people with common understandings. It seems to me, however, that the wheels of religion are falling off the vehicle; the limbs of Christ’s body are being amputated, and the core of our religious body has become flabby at best.

          In our common lectionary for this Sunday, October 5, 2025, the Old Testament readings from Hebrew scripture, are filled with lamentations, tears, and grief. “How lonely sits the city that once was full of people! How like a widow she has become! She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they have become her enemies.” (Lamentations 1:1-4) Where is the hope?

          Paul and I experienced two very different kinds of hope these past two weeks. The first was in Rome, at St. Peter’s Square, when Pope Leo celebrated Holy Eucharist in front of thousands of people. The crowd was composed of people from all nations, ages, and faiths. When it came time for distributing communion to the masses, thousands of Roman Catholic priests, dressed in green chasubles filed down into the crowds. Then, after the service, Pope Leo drove around the square kissing babies and blessing the people. There was a palpable sense of faith, hope, and love in the crowds. Being there was the highlight of our trip.

          The day after we returned home, we flew to Washington D.C. to attend the memorial service of Paul’s cousin, Colonel Edward Haines Gossling III who had been an army airforce pilot and was being interred in Arlington National Cemetery.The casket was carried on a caisson, pulled by officers on horseback, and followed by a marching band. The chaplain spoke about Ed’s goodness, character, and willingness to serve his country. And he also challenged those of us who were present to continue his example. Surrounded by 400,000 grave markers, he reminded us of our own mortality as well as the opportunity to perhaps live in new or different ways. Ed’s work was done; ours could just begin. Without hesitation, the chaplain spoke faithfully about Jesus. This powerful memorial service, from beginning to end, offered hope. It was another highlight or our trip.

          The second reading of Lamentations also provides some hope. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,’therefore I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:19-26)

          The war between Israel and Hamas has continued despite the on-going efforts of world leaders at establishing a lasting peace. The date two years ago of October 7 remains heavy for the people of Israel. In scripture they remember their history, and the invasion of their country by Iraq (Babylon) centuries ago. Taken into exile in Babylon, not unlike the Ukrainians who have been relocated to Russia, the tears of their people remain fresh. “By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, when we remembered you, O Zion. As for our harps, we hung them up on the trees in the midst of that land. For those who led us away captive asked us for a song and our oppressors called for mirth: Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord's song upon an alien soil.” (Psalm 137)

 It is tempting to feel outrage and resentment; to seek revenge and the destruction of those who have harmed us or those we love. “O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy the one who pays you back for what you have done to us! Happy shall he be who takes your little ones, and dashes them against the rock!” Such violent language is also part of our common discourse today. It is a natural human reaction.

          And so we keep wondering. Where is our hope? When will this violence end? Like the prophet Habakkuk, we question God. “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you "Violence!"and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous--therefore judgment comes forth perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4)

          Once again the psalmist gives an answer. “Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong. For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away. Put your trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord, and he shall give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him, and he will bring it to pass. He will make your righteousness as clear as the light and your just dealing as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes. Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil. For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land. (Psalm 37:1-10)

Where is our hope? In us. Do not fret. Do not be jealous. Refrain from anger; leave rage alone. In God. Trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord. Commit your way; be still; and wait patiently for God to arrive. “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:1-4)

St. Paul advises Timothy not to be ashamed but to guard the good treasure of the gospel good news, that is “our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” We receive freedom from our fear when we have faith, even the size of a mustard seed. We have freedom from despair when we have hope in the goodness, justice, and mercy of God. God is faithful, even when we are not; and so we put our trust in God, whose mercies never end. Therein lies our hope.

Lamentations 1:1-6    Lamentations 3:19-26    Psalm 137    Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4    Psalm 37:1-10

2 Timothy 1:1-14    Luke 17:5-10