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Next Monday will see the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It will also be a bank holiday to allow the country to pay its respects and commemorate the Queen鈥檚 reign.

A reign is the period of time of a person's occupation as monarch of a nation, but it does not explain the work, or the reality of the job.
For many, work is more than routine or a means to an end, it鈥檚 how we make our mark in life. How we show to our peers that we were here, and we made the most of it. It鈥檚 part of our legacy.

The American journalist David Brooks in his book The Road to Character, compares 鈥榬esume virtues鈥� to 鈥榚ulogy virtues鈥�. Resume virtues are the evidence on one鈥檚 CV that help us to compete, they are our chronological accomplishments in education and career; our external achievements, that signal our status.

While these virtues have their place, Brooks notices another set of virtues, the kind he found in the lives of people who radiate an 鈥榠nner light鈥�. This parallel set of qualifications he called 鈥榚ulogy virtues鈥�. What people might say about you, when you die.

When people remember you the they won鈥檛 think about your qualifications, (although they may add to the overall picture), they will focus on another edition of your life.

As her Majesty鈥檚 Chaplain, I often saw the Queen engaged in conversations with the public; taking time and patience to listen and offering a warm smile and a compliment to a child. What often resonated with me was how she made people feel. Eulogy virtues are hard to measure, but easier to witness. They are a glue that holds people together, that help us negotiate life鈥檚 toughest tests.

We each have an individual but essential part to play in this kind of work.

The Bible says, 鈥楾here is one body, but it has many parts. If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?鈥�

鈥楨ulogy virtues鈥�, do not compete in the same way that resume virtues do. Christian unity does not imply uniformity or competition. Instead, these virtues come from a single source of love, God, and are given to each for the good of the whole. Every individual has an indispensable part to play to build up the body, that is the community.

Maya Angelou said: 鈥淵ou have no idea what your legacy will be. Your legacy is what you do every day. It鈥檚 every person you鈥檝e harmed or helped. That鈥檚 your legacy鈥�.

On Monday, as we contemplate the Queen鈥檚 reign, perhaps we can all take the time to think about our own legacies and what we can do now to add to them.

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