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Homily February 26, 2022
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, MSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s
Funeral for Anthony S. Roland
https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=512034494
Bulletin: /digital_faith/documents/3299967
Audio: /documents/Anythony_Roland_s_Funeral_Service
Video: https://youtu.be/B6_umSkmehg
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them. Wisdom 3:1
Please be seated.
As I thought about Tony, this verse kept coming to me. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God. I always have to think twice about that word “righteous.”
Luckily we have a wonderful 1962 Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. I learned that righteousness, as we hear it in this Old Testament Apocryphal book of Wisdom, was “the fulfilment of the demands of a relationship.” The relationship may be with God or may be with other people.
The Dictionary says, “Generally the righteous man in Israel was the man who preserved the peace and wholeness of the community, because it was he who fulfilled the demands of communal living.” [Volume R-Z, pg 80-81]
Ah, now it makes sense that this verse about the righteous would keep coming to me in reference to Tony, doesn’t it?
I’m not sure Tony ever met a stranger. I think in his eyes, we were all one big family. With Ann, they provided important care through their various ventures in providing the basic need we all have for food.
There was the stand at the Farmer’s Market. Now, when I lived in Harrisburg over the years, I was a faithful customer of The Broad Street Market. I loved it, because you build a relationship with the people who are, in some cases, growing your food, but in any case, are selling you your food. Tony was righteous. He was about building relationships and fulfilling the demands of those relationships.
Then there were the restaurants. Same thing. The essential need for food was provided and relationships were built.
Whenever they could, they provided food for people who couldn’t always provide for themselves. Again, relationships.
And all of these relationships served to preserve the peace and wholeness of the community, didn’t they? People were fed physically and you know that Tony also fed people spiritually.
There was that infectious smile and the playfulness. There was always gratitude. Tony would come to the altar and kneel on one knee. He’d receive the host from me, put his hand on top of mine, look into my eyes and with that big smile say, “We Love You Jesus.”
Tony had a strong relationship with God and a core part of his life was fulfilling the demands of a relationship with God. He helped build orphanages in Russia and Chile. Many times Ann heard him say, “Annie, write a check,” when someone needed help.
Father William Warne knew Tony for so many years. Father Warne wrote this and said I could share it:
Fran and I will truly miss our dear friend, Tony with whom we shared so many good times with he and Ann at our hovel in The Woods at the Loch. He was such a good person who loved his Lord which gave me, especially, many wonderful occasions for so-called theological discussions while Fran and Ann mused about their dogs and cats. Such fond memories that we'll cherish forever. Of course, it won't be the same for us to address only Ann in the future, since we've always referred to "Ann and Tony" almost as if they were one and the same. We bid him farewell and look forward to seeing him again down the road and discussing with him his well-earned new experiences with his Lord. May Ann, Mark, Tony and all their families and loved ones know the consolation of God's unbelievable mercy and love as they grieve the loss of their beloved Tony. Peace and comfort be with them. Canon Bill+ and Fran Warne
He was a regular part of this church community coming in person or online during this time of pandemic.
I’ve heard he had a way to define his faith and I guess his life by the word Joy – Jesus, Others, Yourself. Love God, Love your neighbor, Love yourself.
Yes, Tony lived his life as a righteous man. Those who were fortunate enough to know him as husband, father, Grampal and brother in Christ are grateful to have known him and rejoice in his legacy about what it means to be righteous.
And we can say with confidence like the writer of Wisdom, that his soul is in the hand of God and no torment will ever touch him.
Amen
