Lectionary epistle: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
On Sunday afternoon gone, I stood on the square in
front of the Minster as the Mayor of Sunderland, wearing her chain of office, delivered
the Proclamation of Accession of King Charles III. This ancient process ripples
outward, from St James’ Palace where His Majesty the King was formally proclaimed
at the Accession Council, after which the Principal Proclamation was made from
the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’ Palace by the Garter King of
Arms, accompanied by the Earl Marsal, other Officers of Arms and the Sarjeants
at Arms. The Proclamation was made in Scotland by the Lord Lyon King of Arms,
in Wales by the herald of arms extraordinary, and in Northern Ireland by the
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms. It was made in the City of London and in every
county seat in England by the High Sheriff, in the presence of the King’s Lord-Lieutenants,
and from there delegated onward to Mayors and was read out also in universities
and cathedrals and, finally, if so desired, in every civic parish. The
Proclamation was also made by senior officials across the Commonwealth nations.
The purpose, of course, is that this important news,
that we have a new king, is carried to every citizen, to the furthest corners
of the kingdom, and the farthest reaches of the Commonwealth. But this time, for
the first time, we were able to watch the pebble be dropped into the pool,
live, on our television scenes, long before the ripple reached us.
Between the formal proclamation at the Accession
Council and the Principal Proclamation made by the Garter King of Arms, the
King held his first Privy Council meeting, where he made a personal declaration
which included these words:
‘I
am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy
responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me. In taking up these
responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been
set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and
prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and
Territories throughout the world…
‘And
in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now
dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of
Almighty God.’
The
King also read and signed an oath to uphold the security of the Church of
Scotland:
‘I
understand that the Law requires that I should, at My Accession to the Crown,
take and subscribe the Oath relating to the Security of the Church of
Scotland. I am ready to do so at this first opportunity.
‘I,
Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland and of My other Realms and Territories, King, Defender of
the Faith, do faithfully promise and swear that I shall inviolably maintain and
preserve the Settlement of the true Protestant Religion as established by the
Laws made in Scotland in prosecution of the Claim of Right and particularly by
an Act intituled “An Act for securing the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian
Church Government” and by the Acts passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms
for Union of the two Kingdoms, together with the Government, Worship,
Discipline, Rights and Privileges of the Church of Scotland.
‘So
help me God.’
Paul writes that he has been appointed a herald and
apostle. That by royal seal affixed, he is a town crier, charged with
communicating news of critical importance to the public; and an envoy, commissioned
by another to represent them to the nations.
His proclamation is this:
‘There
is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus,
himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.’
This
is the proclamation, ringing out around the Roman Empire, that the God who
created all things has anointed Jesus as the one who guarantees the performance
of all terms and conditions stipulated in the covenant God has made with
humankind, in recognition that this Jesus had given his life to secure our
freedom. Paul is making the public proclamation that Jesus will freely uphold the
duties and responsibilities laid upon him. Indeed, in the person of Jesus, the
responsibilities of God towards humankind, and the responsibilities of
humankind towards God, are guaranteed.
That
is far greater news than the accession of any earthly sovereign. And yet, we
act as if it isn’t fit for proclamation, as if it is an entirely private matter
of individual belief, personal choice between many gods (or none) and any
number of mediators (or none).
Perhaps
you think it isn’t your place, that, unlike Paul, you aren’t a herald and an
apostle. You are, however, called to pray. Paul urges that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, including kings
and those in high office. Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgivings aren’t simply four different ways of saying the same thing. Supplications,
or entreaties, refer to urgent personal need. Prayers include a recognition
that we are addressing God, in community, in a place set aside for prayer.
Intercessions refer to approaching a king, to receive his instructions, to know
what his will is. And thanksgivings are the expression of gratitude for God’s
grace.
We
are called to pray, that all might know life free from disturbance, experiencing,
instead, an inner calm; a life of reverence where all, whether those of high
estate or lowly birth, are considered worthy of veneration, worthy of respect, possessing
a gravitas and dignity of their own.
This
is the prayerful life the late Queen modelled to her son and heir, and to all
her subjects. And it is how we should pray for our new King, and for all people
everywhere. For their urgent personal needs: for the Royal Family and for all
families grieving the death of a loved one at this present time. That they
might know the Spirit, the Comforter, draw near to them; even as we draw near
to listen to any words the Spirit might give us to say to them. All the while,
expressing our thankfulness for all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus, the
forgiveness of sins and all other benefits of his passion.
This
month marks a new beginning for us as a nation, whether we choose to embrace it
or not. And, yes, it will take time to get used to; we shall find ourselves, to
begin with, in a period of transition. Might it also be a new beginning for our
prayer life? A learning to pray? The new King has made a personal declaration,
concluding:
‘And
in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now
dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of
Almighty God.’
May
this be your prayer too, and mine. So help me God.
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