It has been a bit of a week here in the UK.
There has been Harry and Megan interview, a crisis in the monarchy and the Church of England. The country is divided in its opinion on the validity of the interview.
The issues debated on both sides of the pond are in the monarchy and outdated and racist institution? Certainly, for the C of E to questions need to be answered swiftly.
As governor of the Church of England is the Queen and the monarchy racist? Did the Archbishop of Canterbury marry Megan and Harry twice? If so, this demeans marriage whether you consider it a sacrament or covenant. (1)
On top of all that a Metropolitan police officer has been accused of murder!
There is a crisis also in the understanding of the family and God’s plan for sexuality.
Here we celebrate Mothering Sunday which has its roots as a pre-reformation feast day rejoicing in “Mother Church”. For many however, it is purely a day to give your mother chocolates, perfume, a bunch of daffodils.
For me it is a day to give a prayer of thanksgiving for the sacrificial love of my mother.
It is also a day to pray for the family whether it be our own or other people’s. I share the prayer for families in the 1928 book of common prayer.
For a Blessing on the Families of the Land.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who settest the solitary in families; We commend to thy continual care the homes in which thy people dwell. Put far from them, we beseech thee, every root of bitterness, the desire of vain-glory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh; turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to the fathers; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we be evermore kindly affectioned with brotherly love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Song of St Anselm
Refrain:
All Gather your little ones to you, O God,
as a hen gathers her brood to protect them.
1Jesus, like a mother you gather your people to you;
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
2Often you weep over our sins and our pride,
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement.
3You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds,
in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us.
4Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life;
by your anguish and labour we come forth in joy.
5Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness;
through your gentleness we find comfort in fear.
6Your warmth gives life to the dead,
your touch makes sinners righteous.
7Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us;
in your love and tenderness remake us.
8In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness,
for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us.
from Anselm of Canterbury
Glory to the Father, and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be forever. Amen.
May God bless you and your families.
Rev.Geordie
(2) https://www.gotquestions.org/Anselm-of-Canterbury.html
