Farewell To Ron Roth
In Two Acts Of Love
By Virginia Poynton
Act One
In The Company Of Angels
For those of us who were called to witness for Ron Roth, the ritual of transition from this plane to the next, we found ourselves in Ron’s hometown of Peru, Illinois on a crisp spring day, gathered at a funeral parlor that for many decades has lovingly served this community of families, many like Ron’s, second and third generation Americans. Walking up the five steps and entering the door to the chapel was a simple yet profound experience. Many of us have lovingly volunteered our time and energy to support Ron in the past, yet on this day, June 3rd, 2009 somehow we all knew that we were about to embark on the most important act of love for our Teacher. 2009 somehow we all knew that we were about to embark on the most important act of love for our Teacher.
A photo of Ron greeted us where we entered and were to sign our names in a book. The sobering effect of this act before our Teacher still brings tears to my eyes. Ron’s photo was beautiful; his blue sweater, white hair and blue eyes were a heart-felt sight to behold. In this setting it was also a reminder of the transition between planes from past to present and from matter to Spirit.
It took some courage to enter Ron’s chapel but fear was short lived and eclipsed by a far more powerful energy which surrounded Ron’s body and all of us there bearing witness for him. The room was a sea of peaceful love. Amidst the loving greetings of friends embracing one another, there was a sense of serenity and bliss. As though holding court, the physical Ron was beautiful in white vestment and stole adorned with the Madonna and Child from Czestochowa, Poland. Standing before him, my eyes needed time to register the radiance of Ron’s appearance with the comprehension that he was not just taking a well deserved nap. He was indeed glowing and he was indeed smiling. The corners of his mouth turned up in the familiar Ron Roth smile. A sly smile at that, as if to teach once more, “Do not be deceived by the illusion of death.” In Ron’s chapel there was only light and a celebration of life.
The strength and radiant presence of Ron Roth was palpable. Just like Ron’s powerful healing intensives of the past, the air in the room was vibrant and electric creating for us the light-headed feeling of being “drunk in the Spirit.” Every one of us present radiated loving power of Ron from our hearts. This energy became magnified and grew exponentially with each person who came to join in his tribute. And we were not alone. It was apparent that we were all a part of a grand gathering of Angels and Saints, physical and non-physical which manifested to acknowledge the passing of a friend and Teacher. But with this passing there was also an opening to a new awareness. Ron taught that “we are wired for joy” and “we are wired for God.” On this night in Peru, Illinois, it became clear that now “we are wired with Ron.” The generosity of Ron Roth keeps on flowing. Feel him in your heart. The expression of love that we felt for Ron in our heart while gathered to begin our goodbyes, effortlessly grew into the manifestation of the Presence of the Divine Energy for all present to experience. We know the way to Ron in our hearts and through love, Ron opens the way to God.
Act Two
“The Old Order Has Passed Away.”
On June 4th, the morning following Ron’s wake, a group of us gathered to attend Ron’s funeral mass. St. Valentines Church was the setting. It was beautifully reminiscent of a holiday card pictorial of a small town church with an elegant steeple visible for all in the surrounding neighborhood to see.
Once inside the church a somber mood settled upon the atmosphere within. Gradually silencing whispered greetings to loved ones, our hearts quietly embraced the reality and gravity of the purpose of this gathering. Quiet reflection gave us pause and time for some tears but they were short-lived. There was something greater about to be expressed and needed to be learned by us present, another Ron Roth legacy.
In the quiet pause of reflection, there appeared to be a shift into a “time out of time experience.” It felt like a portal had been opened and we all entered into a time of standing stillness. Spanning the past and the future, like having one foot in each world, our center, our hearts, were joined as one in the present tense feeling of love and gratitude for Ron and his life’s work. In this center, Ron beckoned us toward synchronizing our minds and hearts with his expanded consciousness. Here were found personal, individual and private blessings and Ron Roth whispers. Heart whispers, gentle nudges, familiar phrases and his familiar face were some of the ways Ron pointed us toward the future with a sense of total liberation and oneness with peace. Peace, peace, peace. Gladly we honored our Beloved Teacher in a cocoon of spiritual peace. Ron’s funeral mass afforded us precious moments of oneness in his community but also but shifted us toward “a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away…”*
Present for Ron was one priest, two altar boys, one musician and one community joined at the heart. The music was simple and beautiful and was performed by one male voice in the choir loft with some assistance from us gathered below. “Be Not Afraid,” “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” “Prayer of Saint Francis,” “Mass of Creation,” “One Bread, One Body,” and “Ave Maria” were Ron’s songs.
The Readings and the Gospel were chosen” in the flow” and are documented here for all who want to reference them. Readings: Isaiah 61: 1-3 and Revelations 21: 5-7. The Gospel was Luke 24: 13-49. The homily offered up a hidden gift as we were taught that the Feast Day of Pentecost, the Feast of the Holy Spirit, usually reserved for one day of celebration by the Roman Catholic Church was actually celebrated for eight days in earlier years. Called an “Octave” the eight days allowed the deeper teachings and recognition of the grace and presence of the Holy Spirit to be experienced by the faithful. Ron, a faithful servant and ambassador of the Holy Spirit in life, was honored by the Holy Spirit as he passed into the next life. Pentecost Sunday was the day before the dawn of Ron’s passing. Our Teacher left this world in the peaceful embrace of his Holy Dove on Pentecost Monday.
Spirit cannot be restrained or restricted and neither can the teachings of those who are at one in the heart of God. Ron, in this life and the next calls us into deeper union with the heart of God. Spirit will speak to you in the language that your heart understands. Opening our minds and hearts to deeper mysteries was an intention of Ron’s in this life and as evidenced in Peru, Illinois and places near and far, it continues to this day.
“He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives and to open the eyes of the blind.”**
Ron’s wake and funeral exemplified the flow of perfection in action. Many principles were epitomized and must be emphasized here as important and essential teachings from our Beloved Teacher. They are not suggestions, they are commands. Drop your expectations and judgments so that you can see the Divine at work in the Present wherever you are. Get out of your old ways and step into the simplicity of the Flow. God will work through us and sanctify the work we are called to do, we just have to show up. And finally, all that is needed to connect to God and magnify Spirit in oneself and one another is the loving energy of our human heart. The power is in the majesty of the heart. Nothing more, nothing less is needed. Ron spent many years preparing our space to raise our vibrations to open our hearts. The time of preparation is over. His living legacy is the path to the heart of God through our own hearts. If you get lost, think of Ron, feel your heart smile, and know that through your love for Ron, you will be shown the way to the higher path and greater truth of God’s love for you.
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“Sometimes the people need a little magic!”*** Thank you Ron for all the magic and all the humor, tears of joy and tears of forgiveness. Thank you for the majesty of ritual and beauty of song all leading us to the silence of the heart where all things are made new.
* Revelations Reading
** Isaiah Reading
***Ron Roth
