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Sunday Reflection with Fr Terry Tastard - 25 November 2012


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If you live in Britain then you live in a kingdom, and the signs are discreet, but they are everywhere. The sign is a crown. It is there on the mailboxes and postage stamps. It is to be found in the courts of justice and on the uniforms of the armed services. There is a crowned head on the coins and notes that we carry in our purses and wallets. To a casual observer it might speak of hierarchy, with the ruler at the top.

Actually, the role of the monarch is to represent justice, integrity and fairness. The crown therefore symbolises the welfare and flourishing of the people which it is the sovereign's duty to promote. In the United Kingdom the crown represents the common good. Some monarchs have exercised their high office with great integrity. Some, in the past, have been wicked. Yet this does not remove the fact that it is the sovereign's calling to remind the nation of its highest values. In the United States the flag has something of the same power, hence the anger of many when it is dishonoured.

Whether we live in a republic or in a monarchy, there is the kingdom of Christ and its sign is the cross. This is a kingdom which can be found in every nation and every society. It is found wherever people recognise Christ as the unique revelation of God among us. They long to live as he would have us live, to do as he would have us do. There are those who forgive and reconcile because Christ forgave generously and preached reconciliation. This makes the kingdom a reality. There are those who seek to give practical help the poor and disadvantaged, because Christ told us that he would be found among the poor in every generation. Here, too, the kingdom becomes a reality. There are those who seek to open our eyes the loving presence of the Father in our world, and the inspiring presence of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus did. In this way, also, the kingdom becomes a reality. There are some who speak out in situations of injustice and oppression, because Jesus called us to look after the vulnerable. Just as an earthly kingdom unites people and brings them shared values on which they can build together, so too the heavenly kingdom unites people and helps them build. Sometimes they build visibly, as they create institutions to carry on the faith and the service which it inspires. Often, however, they build invisibly, as they create in their hearts a loyalty to Christ and his kingdom.

In this democratic age, we are less in awe of those at the pinnacle of society. The media tell us that they are human, just like us, with the same frailties as we have ourselves. Of course. But this truth can bring not just realism, but cynicism in its wake. We always need ideals. We always benefit from inspiration. And in every society there are men and women who live their lives in such a way that they are an inspiration to us. They can come from every walk of life, even the most humble. When these people are Christian, they point beyond themselves to the one who was in turn their living ideal, their inspiration, Christ the King. His rule in their hearts gave them the grace to achieve what they achieved. This inspiration from Christ himself will never tarnish, never lessen. His life shines still as an example to us all. His words echo through the ages: 'Come, follow me.'

Fr Terry adds: I thank all those who have been kind enough to read what I have written over the years. My thanks are equally due to those who have corrected occasional errors of fact, and to those who have spoken appreciatively. After 12 years or so I feel that it is time to step down from this podium. Fresh ideas are harder to come by. It is time to give others a chance. Accordingly this will be my last posting.

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