麻豆社

Good Morning.

Today is Accession Day 鈥� the day we mark the anniversary of His Majesty becoming King. In doing so, we also remember his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Such anniversaries are double edged. We look backwards and forwards. We feel sadness at the death of those we loved, and yet hope for the future, because the gifts they have given us survive after they are gone. Today we give thanks that the legacy of Queen Elizabeth 鈥� her obedience to God, her sense of duty, her love for her people - lives on.

Many of us will know well that ache of life continuing after death. Tuesday was my mother鈥檚 funeral. I loved her and will miss her very deeply.

I remember the words of 1 Peter: 鈥楾he grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures for ever.鈥�

Although my family will no longer enjoy her love, integrity and other virtues, I will still see it in the faces of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her friends will remember her courage and faithfulness.

For Christians throughout the world, today is also the feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the day when we celebrate the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus, a servant of God whose obedience, faithfulness and courage continues to transform the world.

A peasant girl from an unknown town, who lived and died, grieved and hoped - just as we do today - made it possible for us to Know the miracle of God working through human faith and obedience.

For various reasons, for me this summer has been, in part, one of seeing suffering in friends and family. That will also be true for many listening. Some today will remember, not Kings and Queens, but their own loss.

What can we say?

Most of all, 鈥淚 love you, I will not abandon you鈥�. The King spoke of the comfort he received from people being there and supporting. 鈥淭o be with鈥� is a precious gift. Mary was with Jesus from conception until crucifixion. Christians believe that God, through Jesus is with those who suffer, through others, or just there.

Today, we remember a King pledged to serve, and a Queen who gave us hope. And we give thanks, because hope and service, with love, are the path to flourishing communities.

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