大象传媒

A reflection and prayer marking the death of Her Majesty the Queen with the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

Good morning.

The Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament says that 鈥渇aith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen鈥�, that is, a reality that cannot be measured or observed in the same way we measure or observe most things in our universe. The reality of faith can only be measured by its impact?

And isn鈥檛 this also true of love? And when we love each other and live in love, then, without necessarily knowing it, we reveal in ways that are measurable and observable the very love of God. This is how faith shapes lives.

It doesn鈥檛 make life easy. Quite the opposite, in fact. It means the easy solutions of only doing the things that work for you is no longer an option. The common good and the greatest good for the greatest number, of a life laid down in service of others, become the hallmarks of love worked out in faithfulness. Her Majesty the Queen was called by God in just that way.

Loving God, we thank you that Her Majesty鈥檚 life was shaped by her knowledge of your call. May her life of faithfulness, a life of deciding and choosing each day to live a particular way and follow a particular path inspire us in the responsibilities we carry. For we ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.