Confirmation and Baptism candidates from 20th November 2016.
I have recently watched the first few episodes of a new television series based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II called ‘The Crown’.
The second episode deals very movingly with the accession of Queen Elizabeth following the death of King George VI. There is a scene in which we see the young new Queen getting ready to alight from the aeroplane following her journey from Africa. She is given a hand written note from the Dowager Queen Mary. In the note Queen Mary offers her granddaughter some words of advice. She warns, that as monarch, she may find herself battling between self and the Crown.
Queen Mary advises her that the Crown must always win!
I am not sure that this note was ever written, but it serves to show the heavy burden of responsibility the young Queen was about to take on and the personal cost involved. We do not know what personal battles she may have had with the demands and responsibilities of the crown that she wears, but we do know how she has served the nation whilst wearing it.
On Sunday 20th November, the Church celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. There is a dramatic stone sculpture of Christ the King high up above the entrance to the Cathedral Archer Project outside the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Here is Christ enthroned in majesty with his hand raised in blessing and here also is Christ the servant King.
It is a joy today to celebrate with and support those who are to be confirmed and make a further step in their pilgrimage of faith as a disciple of Christ. The service is an opportunity for us all to renew our commitment to discipleship. Whatever internal battles we face in our Christian lives let us allow the crown of the Servant King to always win and follow in His footsteps as we journey on.
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ Mark 10.42-45
Canon Keith Farrow
Canon Missioner