Loving Service
Dear Friends,
If the estimates are correct, over half of the world’s population has watched the funeral of her late Majesty the Queen. Even those who do not care much about the monarchy paid their respects – some queuing for many hours to say their personal farewell.
Archbishop Justin Welby, in his funeral sermon, boldly told the leaders of the world that "People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered, when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten."
Christians believe that it was the pattern of Jesus’ life ‘to serve, not to be served’. The Archbishop rightly observed that "Her Late Majesty’s example was not set through her position or her ambition, but through whom she followed."
She followed Christ, and she lived and died a Christian. As such she was a ‘sister’ to all other Christians. When her Majesty’s crown was placed on the altar of St George’s Chapel, the words from St Paul became true: "We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
The church is sometimes blamed for siding with an establishment that has complicated roots in colonialism. I do not want to deny the complexities of power and privilege at play, but a Christian funeral is a deeply democratic event. "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return."
All of us are sinners in equal need of God’s grace. All of us can request a church funeral.
But more importantly, all of us can live a life of loving service and duty, with God’s help, following the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Blessings and peace to you all
