Common Wealth

Through the majestic arches of Westminster Abbey

rang words of everlasting truth and hope, not just for those attending Her Majesty,

the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral but for everyone in all walks of life

Hallelujah! 

A few powerful pointers and reminders to take with us!

"The pattern for many leaders is to be exalted in life and forgotten after death.

The pattern for all who serve God, famous or obscure, respected or ignored,

Is that death is the door to glory…

…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 while those who cling

To power and privileges are long forgotten.

Her late Majesty’s broadcast during covid lockdown ended with ‘we will meet again’!

Christian hope means certain expectation of something not yet seen.

Christ rose from the dead and offers life to all. Abundant life now and life with God in eternity....

...As the Christmas carol says, ‘where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.

We will all face the merciful judgement of God. 

We can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death 

inspired her servant leadership. Service in life. Hope in death. 

All who follow the Queen’s example and inspiration of trust and faith in God

 can with her say, ‘we will meet again’."

Archbishop of Canterbury-The Most Reverend Justin Welby

His Closing Prayers

Heavenly father, kings of kings, Lord and Giver of life,

who, of Thy grace in creation didst form mankind in thine own image, 

and in Thy great love offerest us life eternal in Christ Jesus.

Claiming the promises of Thy most blessed Son,

we entrust the soul of our sister Elizabeth, here departed, to Thy merciful keeping

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life

when Christ shall be all in all, who died and rose again to save us,

and now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit in glory forever.

Amen.

Go forth oh Christian soul in this world.

 In the name of God, the Father Almighty who created Thee.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God who suffered for thee, 

In the name of the Holy Spirit who was poured out upon thee 

and anointed thee in communion with all the blessed saints 

and aided by the angels and archangels and all the armies of the heavenly hosts.,

May thy portion this day be in peace 

and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Amen.

***

Life's charge of duty and demand

Bestows a grand decree

The onus of time's sifted sand

Accountability

The common wealth of shoes to fill

Anoints the common blessed

As we march to Dues beat and drill

Until eternal rest

We, subjects of the King of kings

Each have a sacred role

Until death's doleful belfry rings

With summons of the soul

Each morn time's runway is unfurled

A hallowed thing to see

Poured through the fanfare of this world

Into eternity

How solemn is the chartered span

Of moments in the sun

Where soon the numbered days of man

Are snuffed like stars at dawn

How holy is the beckoning

Until God's final call

How surely is the reckoning

That waits for one and all

How worth this while, the hurt and hope

Of serving faithfully

Because, beyond earth's grave-strewn slope

How sweet Heaven will be

 

© Janet Martin

The precious portion of Scripture below was also read...

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, 

and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, 

and this mortal shall have put on immortality, 

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 

Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? 

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, 

always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

'Life goes on' I said to my sister yesterday

as we texted while watching the funeral

midst many interruptions...

for me-

entertaining a princess-loving princess

harvesting tomatoes

emptying mousetraps-ugh!!

...and all ultimately for the Lord!