As we look forward to the King's coronation in two day's time.
We haven’t got much experience of coronations. Any of us below the age of 70 have never lived through one. An even for those who can remember, it can only be a very distant memory.
And yet, we do know something. We’ve seen the crackly film footage; we’ve heard the stories. My father, like many others, got his first TV in order to watch the coronation. There are stories of families, and indeed, whole streets of people, squashing in to one room to gaze at a nine-inch screen.
King Charles has certainly had to wait a long time for his turn. I’m eight years younger than him, and am happily settling into retirement, whilst he is taking on his new responsibilities. We should certainly be praying for him. Anyone taking on such responsibility needs our prayers.
But in these days of democracy and constitutional government, why is the coronation such an important event? Maybe because a coronation is one of those occasions when we celebrate our nationality. We are British, and don’t have many occasions when we can genuinely celebrate our Britishness. The monarchy, whatever our personal opinions about its relevance, is something that we all have in common. The monarchy transcends politics, regional variation, social class, and even that somewhat nebulous concept of star quality. If we didn’t have it, we would have to invent it. Somebody has to be the figurehead who represents us. And be honest - do we want a Trump, or a Biden? It’s good to have a figurehead who’s above that kind of political wrangling.
Perhaps our late Queen’s most famous statement, uttered when she was very young, before she even wore the Crown, which even now is still being quoted is her commitment to service.
· I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
And this is the quote that King Charles referred to when he finally acceded to the throne. He too, has a similar commitment to service. It may have been expressed differently during his long apprenticeship as Prince of Wales, but I believe, is equally genuine. He is committed to serving our country.
And there’s an important lesson for all of us. True leadership is not about power and domination, it is about humility and service. Jesus said, ‘The greatest amongst you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves….. but I am amongst you as one who serves. (Luke 22:25-27).
And a thought to add to that: our monarch is crowned under the authority of God and is answerable to God. For me, one of the most moving parts of the Queen’s funeral service last year was when the cortege reached St George’s Chapel in Windsor, her sceptre was broken and along with her orb – the symbols of her earthly authority – were laid on the altar in St George’s Chapel. The authority vested in her was handed back to God. Whatever authority or responsibility we may have in this life – ultimately, we are each one of us, answerable to God. As David’s prayer, at the end of his life, reminds us:
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all……
Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chron 29:11,14)
Service and responsibility. This weekend we pray for our new King. At the heart of his coronation lie these two concepts – service to others, responsibility to God. His commitment is great, but we do well to remember – this is God’s call to each one of us. We are called to serve, in the name of God, who gave us life, and to whom we must all give an answer.
Comments