Funeral Sermon for Rose Ross

With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. Psalm 91:16

Funeral Sermon for Rose Philomene Ross, Bethel Lutheran Church, Ryley, AB, October 30, 2025, one o’clock by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, based on Psalm 91:14-16 and Matthew 5:14-16. 

Even though I never had the privilege of meeting Rose Philomene Ross, the first thing that comes to my mind, after learning about her from her family is the phrase “blessed to be a blessing.” Rose was blessed in so many ways, and her life, in turn, was a blessing for others. Indeed, Rose lived a long, happy, and useful life, she has put so much goodness, kindness, love and service for others into her years. 

Speaking of long life, the psalmist reassures us that God blesses us, and God blessed Rose with this promise: “I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honour them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.”

I’m sure God was with Rose in troubled times, and enabled her to get through those troubled times by rescuing her from difficult situations. God honoured Rose too with a life filled with meaning and purpose in order that she could do all of the things she did that made such a difference in her family members lives and the lives of others too. God blessed Rose by giving her the gift of long life. Just as the older palm trees produce the best tasting dates; and just as old wine produces the best taste; so Rose’s long life was a productive one. The Lord gave her many, many years to be productive, and she was—working hard on the farm, in her home, and as the head housekeeper at Tofield Hospital. 

That brings us to our passage from the Gospel of Matthew, which is part of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. I’d like to share the way Eugene Peterson in The Message renders this passage. Jesus said: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” 

During the course of Rose’s 100 years of life, she did shine. She offered her loved ones, friends, neighbours, and probably even strangers hospitality, kindness, a calmness bringing peace and strength in difficult times, she was a mentor for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren, offering words of wisdom and inspiration, and sharing special times with them, often over cookies she made along with tea. 

The words of verse 16 in the NRSV are spoken during baptisms, they instruct all baptized Christians to: Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Just as Jesus, in the Gospel of John says: “I am the light of the world” (8:12), as his followers through our baptism, we too are called to be lights in this world. The image that comes to mind is a sunset. You know if you’ve watched sunsets that right after the sun goes down, there is still a bit of an afterglow, rays of light. So in death we think of life’s afterglow. Every life leaves after life’s day is over some inspiration of goodness, beauty, truth, love and grace, that remains to comfort and sustain those with sorrowing hearts. So too, Rose’s long life afterglow will remain with you. So thanks be to God for giving Rose the gifts of: kindness, hospitality, a peaceful calmness, a strong work ethic, contentment, a servant heart, and most of all love. By God’s grace, may these gifts remain with you, so that you, like Rose, can let your light shine, and one day you’ll see her in her permanent home with the Lord.