Thought For The Day – Tuesday 9^th May 2023

From the oaths  and promises on the Bible, to the private and sacred anointing in ordinary clothes with oil from Jerusalem,  to the crowning, presentation of symbolic items and the Holy Communion with bread and wine,  The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury was an ancient, symbolic, spiritual and religious service, going back many centuries.

There were very historic, modern and new aspects too; the involvement of different faiths and religions as well as different Christian denominations, the leadership of women and female bishops,  the inclusion of gospel music from the black community, the emphasis on the environment with sustainability and the representative guests who were invited.

The theme of the service was a quote from Jesus Christ: “I came not to be served but to serve.” (Matthew 20)

Over the bank holiday weekend, many people marked the occasion in different ways in their communities. Volunteering to help others was stressed.

Amidst the joy of many, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby,  in his sermon, reminded that Jesus’ “throne was a Cross. His crown was made of thorns. His regalia were the wounds that pierced his body”, that “Jesus does not grasp power or hold on to status” and “in Jesus’ Kingdom the poor and oppressed are freed from the chains of injustice…The bruised and broken-hearted are healed.”  “Each of us is called by God to serve, whatever that looks like in our lives…Service is love in action. We see active love in our care for the most vulnerable, the way we nurture and encourage the young, in the conservation of the natural world.”  These moral messages are especially relevant today.

Of course, not everyone agrees with the idea of monarchy and not everyone is religious, whilst not everyone who believes in religion agrees with monarchy and vice versa.  Some people will be undecided. In our community too, we will have a range of appropriate and respectful viewpoints and perspectives, as with all things in life.  Peter Tatchell, a regular visitor to TBSHS, is a republican, for example. In one picture from the weekend, people of different views on monarchy happily joined together, each respecting one another’s perspective.

Together Everyone Achieves More.  Life is complicated, nuanced and subtle.  Community, and indeed education, is about holistic mutual respect, discussion, empathy, compassion,  listening, humility and kindness, with no one left behind or left out.  We continue this mission today together, always mindful of those in need and in tribute to the light and love of those who have passed away but still walk with us.

Have a wonderful day.