As we meet to mourn the loss of our late, dear Monarch, Queen Elizabeth we do so with the deepest gratitude and recognise that her life, a shining example and inspiration to so many, was a life of profound Christian faith.
At the Coronation the Queen was anointed with holy oil to set her apart for service and to bless her with gifts from God. Our sovereign lady knew, and was reminded regularly by the Book of Common Prayer collect for the sovereign, that under Gods holy sovereignty, she was to be God’s minister. To be monarch of an earthly kingdom living always by the light and strength of Gods heavenly kingdom.
And the Christian faith is this, that death is not the end, but rather the gate we pass through, because we are destined for eternity. God intends us for life with him forever. End slide
In a famous sermon, four hundred years ago, John Donne, the Dean of St Pauls spoke of death not as an end, but as an awakening: (You may be familiar with these words), ‘Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of Heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness or dazzling, but one equal light, no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears or hopes, but one equal possession; no ends or beginnings, but one equal eternity…
When Jesus talks about eternity with his disciples, shortly before his own death, he uses a very simple and lovely analogy. He tells them not to be troubled about dying. He reassures them and says that in his Father’s house, there are many dwelling places, (rooms) and he’s going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house, so that he can be with them, forever.
It’s a wonderful thought. Our heavenly home.
In her earthly pilgrimage through life our own dear Queen lived in Palaces, castles and stately homes, (I understand of varying degrees of comfort and standards of plumbing) and she has stayed in palaces, lodges, on board ships and memorably, in a treehouse.
And now, we can rest assured that she dwells in her heavenly home and life in all its fullness.
And in Christian theology there’s a beautiful give and take. As she was hospitable to Christ in her earthly life, so she now rests in heavenly hospitality. She dwells with God. She has gone home.
And of course heaven, is beyond description. As St Pauls says, ‘Now we see through a glass darkly…’ We cannot attempt to describe that eternal home, but believe that as well as glimpses in scripture, we experience glimpses here on earth of eternity. In places of natural beauty, sometimes called ‘thin’ places that seem to speak of more than we can comprehend; (focus on soaring arches and ceiling?) in built places, like this house, where soaring architecture and centuries of prayer cause overwhelming wonder; in experiences of human love in its heights of joy and depths of grief, which open us to God’s heart of love, we can have glimpses of heaven and of eternity.
We cannot know what our heavenly home will be like, but we can trust Christ’s promise to his disciples, that he is preparing a place for us and that life in God, is eternal.
I close with a poem, by Maurice O’Connor which speaks of homecoming. In which the best of life here on earth, those glimpses of eternity, are indeed a foretaste of heaven.
It’s called Canticle of Joy.
‘What a day that will be, when I go home.
Perhaps the last words which I shall hear and grasp on earth will be uttered by doctor of nurse or priest at my bedside, ‘I’m sorry, but I’m afraid he’s going.’ Yes indeed, going Home.
When the majestic procession will come to greet me: the cherubim and seraphim, angels and archangels…saints and apostles…there too my loved ones who have gone before me and for whom my heart has ached.
What a day that will be, what a day, when I shall go to Everlasting Light and Life; to the one who held me in love before time and creation began, and to whom I return.
Slide 2 How my heart has leaped at the magic of a dawn or the glory of a sunset….relaxed at the sound of best-loved music; delighted at hearing my dear grandchildren’s voices; known the happiness of loving and being loved, and the friendship and goodness of others.
So what a day that will be when all that love and joy and delight and happiness will be known and experienced at their Source…and I shall live forever. My last breath will be the first note of my eternal Canticle of Joy.
What a day that will be, what a day, when I go Home.’
