Message of Abbot Paul - Sunday 7th May 2023

For many of us the coronation of a monarch is a once in a lifetime experience. Others are gifted with the opportunity to see and celebrate two, but rarely more. I vividly remember the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953 as my grandparents bought a television for the occasion. It was much taller than I was and had a small screen at about the level of my head, on which you could see blurred greyish images, which occasionally came into focus. It rained for most of the day, lending the events a mystical, distant feel about them. The one exception was Queen Salote of Tonga, riding alone in an uncovered coach who waved enthusiastically to the crowds, who remained undampened by the rain. Although we lived in an avenue, we also had a street party for the many children living nearby, all of us the result of the post-war baby boom. Food was still rationed, so the fare was meagre, but more important than the fish paste sandwiches and the jelly and blancmange was the gift of a mug with the Queen’s portrait on it to take home. How I treasured that mug and drank from it daily until I left home for university in 1965. King Charles’ coronation was a far simpler celebration, but one we will never forget, for the intimacy that television now lends to such occasions, the close ups, the detail, and the quality of the sound. Every moment was a work of art and the music was well appointed and quite extraordinary. Above all the coronation was an act of faith, the crowning of a vocation to serve our country and the Commonwealth after the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.

 

​Today’s Gospel comes from Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper as found in John, (Jn 14: 1-12). Both Thomas and Philip, among the disciples, ask Jesus to explain more clearly what he is saying. It’s interesting that particular apostles are named, which is typical of John. The text, as much of John’s Gospel, is written in poetic form. As it’s late and yesterday was an emotionally exhausting day – imagine what it must have been like for the King and Queen – I’ll just reprint a number of Jesus’ salient phrases.

 

Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God still, and trust in me.

I am going now to prepare a place for you,

I shall return to take you with me;

so that where I am you may be too.

 

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

No one can come to the Father except through me.

To have seen me is to have seen the Father,

I am in the Father and the Father is in me.

     ​​​

Whoever believes in me

will perform the same works as I do myself,

he will perform even greater works,

because I am going to the Father.