With the Sword of State being borne before her, the Queen made her way to the steps of the altar. The nation was bringing her to God.
She had just sworn on oath to “maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel” to her utmost power, to maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law, and to preserve all rights and privileges which the law accorded to the Clergy and Bishops.
At one time, such a promise was of greater significance than now, but on her honor she has upheld the Church of England and made other faiths welcome and kept them safe from persecution. She has wonderfully opened a door of peace and understanding between Irish Catholics and Protestants, forgiving even the IRA bombing that killed Phillip’s beloved uncle, Lord Mountbatten.
Now, kneeling before God, with her right hand on the Bible opened to the Gospels, she swore a final oath:
“The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God.” She kissed the Book and a silver Standish was brought; she signed the oaths that had been printed out on a special vellum page. The page would be added to the Court Roll in the record of the Court Chancery.
Would we be better oath keepers if we had to sign the page of the oaths we made? “I will.” “I do.” We must sign tax return forms and insurance claims and many other things, but those matters closest to our hearts and our well-being are nearly completely free of any binding legal form.
How precious, how honoring it is to us that God takes us at our word. He says, “Come unto me,” and we come, and we stay. He says, “This is my beloved Son,” and we listen. He says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and we take those words as our creed. We say, “We have sinned,” and He says, “I have paid.” We say, “Revive us to dwell with you forever,” and He says, “I will not leave you alone; I will come to you. I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
No roll, no record, no oaths, no pen, ink, or paper. He takes us at our Word.
In every difficulty, in every trial we would rather escape, He remembers our commitment to be conformed to the image of His Son. He knows where our safety and security are to be made sure. He saves to the uttermost.
It is our own faith we must defend. Jesus asks, not will He find missionaries or preachers when the Son of Man comes, but “will he find faith in the earth?” (Luke 18:8) He tells us clearly that it is day and night prayer that displays our faith.
By the mercies of Christ let a Standish be brought and let us write with the ink of decision on the vellum of our souls and our consciences and our will, “We will pray!” For our families, our churches, our nations, for the Body of Christ around the world, for the peace of Jerusalem, for workers for the harvest, for the lost, for our enemies … we will pray.
All that He has asked us to do, we will do.
Teresa of Avila,by permission
Usuario:Xaxua
Cor Unum Abbey 