Celebrations

St Martin's News Letter Article: Sunday 10 June 2012

Last week, along with  millions of other people in this country and around the world, we joined  in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.  It has been a remarkable few days when people of all faiths and cultures have come together in support of the Queen, holding Street Parties and Big Lunches in many venues  despite inclement weather.  We have all seen the pictures on the television and in the press of the sheer numbers of people waving flags, dressing up for the occasion and generally having a good time. Wherever the Queen has gone there have been crowds of people cheering, waving and singing The National Anthem, all wanting to be there to see the Queen.  In particular the crowds of people in the Mall when the Queen and her family appeared on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace.

So what have we been celebrating—a remarkable lady who, from a very young age, has devoted her life to serving this country faithfully following the sudden death of her father.  Someone who has never wavered from her responsibilities for the past sixty years.

When I saw the pictures in the Mall I was reminded of the crowds who came out to cheer and wave palm leaves and shouting Hosannah when Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But by the end of the week the mood changed and people were then shouting for him to be crucified.  We all celebrate Easter Sunday when Jesus rose from the dead and one day we will have the opportunity to celebrate when Jesus comes again.  In John ch. 14 Jesus tells that he is coming back for us to take us to a place he has  prepared for us. This will be a time for us to cheer and give thanks for what Jesus has done for us.