Preaching at Sunday services in Rufford & Tarlerton this morning our Rector said:
“The late Queen said, ‘grief is the price we pay for love.’ But in the Eucharist, love is the gift we receive for grief.
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus tells us how far the good Shepherd will go to save a lost soul. I’m not sure that those who first heard these words would have realised that Jesus will go further than anyone could’ve imagined to save our souls – he died on the cross so that we might have life and have it in abundance.
That fact alone should give hope and lift our spirits today as we mourn the passing of our late Sovereign – especially as she and our new king are faithful believers in Christ and his gospel of resurrection.
So important to the Queen was this gospel that Her Late Majesty’s life of service was a life of such a sacrifice. No! She didn’t die on the cross for us, but she gave her whole life to us as a Nation and as a Commonwealth, and that is probably why we are all in such a state morning this weekend.”
After giving examples of the Queen’s life of service he concluded:
“The best legacy we can give to our late sovereign who is to try in some small way to emulate that sacrifice that service in our lives. So please not only cry at the passing of a lost monarch and acclaim God save the King but be more active, less passive and ask yourself what more you can do in service – and then commit yourself to it.
God save the King!”
Photo: Fr Mark at worship with HM The King
