Viola Marsingill Homily

Scripture

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NRSV

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Ancient legend said that the Mute Swan, one of the species of swan did not utter a sound until its death and upon its death sang the most beautiful songs of God’s creatures.

I had the privilege of knowing Viola Marsingill during her swan song. Now, she certainly was not mute during the time I knew her. Viola was a woman of wisdom. There was no mean bone in her body.

How many of you remember the Disney film Finding Dory that came out a few years ago? The sequel to finding Nemo? If you remember Dory gets separated from her parents and gradually forgets them because of a short-term memory loss problem she has. She joins with Marlin and Nemo on a journey. She eventually finds her parents by recalling that they always left a shell trail for her back to the house, she discovers a shell trail and finds the house with dozens of trails that they had laid out for her over time. They did this because of her memory problem. Someone commented on what we can learn from the character of Dory is that being forgetful doesn't mean you’re stupid and being happy doesn't mean you’re weird.

Even with her loss of memory Viola still had that spark in her, a spark of persistence that kept her faithfully on the trail to go home. That persistence, faith, and family is what kept her happy. She was a swan and a Dory!

She loved her family. One of my favorite things about Viola was her smile. I visited her at the Oaks and shared communion with her. She always smiled during this time. Communion is something no one forgets in my experience. I find that interesting. I guess that’s not unusual for somone who was a devout follower of Jesus Christ as Viola was.

I also got to spend some time with her at Wednesday night suppers. She was always a joy to be around and I looked forward to visiting with her. My Mother always said getting old was not for sissies. Viola lived to be 101! She was no sissy that’s for sure. The bravery to live that long is something to behold.

Paul is writing his swan song to Timothy. In the 2 letters to Timothy and one to Titus Paul is imprisoned facing his death. In these verses he is telling Timothy that my journey is done, I have fought the good fight, I have won the race, I have persevered and won and for me the crown of righteousness awaits. Earlier in this letter he tells to Timothy to do as I have done and to follow in my footsteps. He tells Timothy that his whole life has been poured out as a libation, an offering to God. Viola’s life mirrored that of Paul’s in this regard. She did persevere she did fight the good fight, she poured herself out for her Savior, and now she is enjoying that crown of righteousness.

The good news goes even further here, for I believe Viola would be saying what Paul said. He tells Timothy that you must carry out my ministry in my place. I think today Viola would tell us the same. That we need to follow in her footsteps, we need to love our churches, we need to love our families and in the face of adversity and suffering we need to persevere. And in the end she promises us, if we have faith like hers, we too can receive that crown of righteousness. All of us that long for Jesus appearing can receive that crown!

Facing his certain death Plato reports that Socrates said this, “"You think I cannot see as far ahead as a swan. You know that when swans feel the approach of death they sing, and they sing sweeter and louder on the last days of their lives because they are going back to that God whom they serve."

I only got t know Viola as she was singing her sweet loud song. I wish I had known her longer. What a beautiful swan she was. But even in the short time I knew her she has had an impact on my life. I bet she had an impact on yours too. Yet, in all that we miss her, we have that great hope, that crown of righteousness. As Socrates said of the swan or swan Viola has gone back to the God that she served so well in her time with us. She truly fought the good fight, she has finished the race and now she wears the crown. I can see her now with that angelic smile on her face, not suffering anymore with that laurel leaf crown of righteousness on her head.

As Orlando Gibbons wrote,”

The silver Swan, who living had no Note,

when Death approached, unlocked her silent throat.

Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,

thus sang her first and last, and sang no more:

"Farewell, all joys! O Death, come close mine eyes!

"More Geese than Swans now live, more Fools than Wise."

In our case though, I think we are the wiser if we will just follow is the example of Viola Marsingill.