There are times on life’s journey that we just have to stop where we are and try and take in what is going on around us. I expected this Sunday to witter on for a bit about my two days of fun and games going in and out of Harrogate hospital then in and out again giving you anecdotes from an A and E cubicle. I expected this Sunday to reflect on a change of Prime Minister and to reflect on the cost of living crisis and to commend her government to God seeking good leadership and a new start.
Then came Thursday…
There are times on life’s journey we know exactly where we were when we heard news and we just stopped stunned. Some will still remember where they were when Neville Chamberlain told the nation we were at war again, some will still remember where they were when Kennedy was shot, or Margaret Thatcher resigned or when Diana, Princess of Wales died in that Paris tunnel or 9/11 happened. You may think of other life changing moments that just take time to comprehend.
We watched the television on Thursday afternoon as we were told the Queen was under medical supervision and news programmes filled hours commenting on Balmoral gates and what did “she is comfortable” mean.
I was getting ready to go and visit a bereaved family when Lis told me “she has died.” I walked via the cathedral. As I approached the cathedral I got the message that dear Elisabeth Hogerzeil from our Circuit had passed away peacefully. I went into the cathedral which was open and lit a candle. A lady was there very upset.
She saw I might be clergy, and she said “say a prayer” and we cried together, stunned by a sudden change in life, what we’d always known was suddenly no more.
When someone who has always been there dies, there is a profound shock. All of a sudden the anchors that hold life steady move and a new secure point is needed. It’s a moment to make the strongest wobble. That is the same for a nation as it is for families. We now enter a new epoch, one which brings us into unfamiliar territory. Anglican clergy doing 8am communion this morning from the Book of Common Prayer were praying they would be alert and read the amended text prepared the night before. There’s a prayer which has said for the last seventy years “bless Elizabeth our Queen and bless all those who exercise authority under her.” There was a picture last night of Elizabeth crossed out and Charles put in and Queen crossed out and King put in and her crossed out and him put in and it’s all a bit strange because most of us have never seen this change before. We need time to adjust.
I want us to celebrate what we have lost but will remember for ever and then I want us to think about how we take what we have treasured in our late monarch into life as we go on. Queen Elizabeth II was a devout Christian and was not afraid to commend her Saviour to her people. She saw Jesus as an example to be followed, as a servant, an embodiment of humility and just leadership, one to be looked up to with sound ethical ideals to be followed and lived out. In 2002 at Christmas, the Queen said this:
“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”
In 1986, her Christmas message reminded us that Jesus’ life began in humble surroundings, and that ‘you don’t have to be rich or powerful in order to change things for the better, and each of us can make our own contribution’. And at the turn of the millennium, she simply remarked that:
Many will have been inspired by Jesus’ simple but powerful teaching: love God and love they neighbour as thyself – treat others as you would like them to treat you. Jesus’ great emphasis was to give spirituality a practical purpose…
And remember these words she spoke in 1947:
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.
But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it."
Her life, and reign, have proved to be long and she has steadfastly and determinedly kept her promise; her vow and dedication. She has served and kept on serving. She has truly been a Servant Queen.
She has herself made clear time and again that she fulfils this service as her calling under God. She serves because of her love for Jesus Christ, and for the nation and commonwealth whom she has been called to serve.
And of course we are stunned that has come to an end. Why? Well maybe two politicians speaking over these days have it right… our Prime Minister said in the Commons: “Her legacy will endure through the countless people she met, the global history she witnessed, and the lives that she touched.
She was loved and admired by people across the United Kingdom and across the world.
One of the reasons for that affection was her sheer humanity. She re-invented the monarchy for the modern age. She was a champion of freedom and democracy around the world. She was dignified but not distant. She was willing to have fun, whether on a mission with 007 or having tea with Paddington Bear. She brought the monarchy into people’s lives and into people’s homes.”
And Sir Keir Starmer said similar: “For seventy years, Elizabeth II stood as the head of our country. But in spirit, she stood amongst us.”
I believe we are mourning stability, example, and we are all a bit unsure now. Because while she was 96, we didn’t want to face not having her on the throne. When someone you admire isn’t sharing with you on life’s journey any more then you’re a bit wobbly. The goalposts have moved and the waters are uncharted, so you stand and stare in disbelief.
Which brings me to the other Elisabeth. To not have Elisabeth Hogerzeil about will be hard. She has been a wise counsellor to many people for many years, a deeply caring Christian, an effective preacher of the Gospel, a lady who knew her Bible and who believed in the power of prayer and a lady who cared for others above herself. I had many conversations with her about God. The 11am Thursday prayer times she led were spot on, very deep and rooted in God’s love which she was so sure about. I saw her in hospital last Sunday. She preached to me, asked about everyone and we shared a prayer together. I commended her into God’s care and while we miss her especially in this church, she entered into God’s rest peacefully and confidently. Her last message to the Circuit were those words of Mother Julian of Norwich: “ all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Like there is a Queen shaped hole, there is an Elisabeth shaped hole and it’s really hard.
But there is a but… Paul has it right in his letter to the Romans. In uncertainty and stunned disbelief, there is nothing that will separate us from the love of Christ, not even death. And Jesus has it right in his teaching giving us the Beatitudes. The key to life in all its fullness is radical discipleship, a different way. A way shown to us by the Queen and many Christian souls who have passed this way whose names live for evermore.
Now we pray for King Charles III and his family that in his words he “ shall endeavour to serve us with loyalty, respect, and love.” And remembering the Queen and other saints known only to us we pledge ourselves to be just a tiny bit of their example to make a difference in the world.
Stunned silence, yes, there is need for time to mourn, that’s why I wanted us to gather today, but when we’re ready we go forward together striving to bring the Kingdom nearer beginning where we are called to be. As the King said on Friday night we say to Elizabeth our Queen, and all those who’ve lived with us “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. “ Life’s work well done.
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