7 June 2022 A Candle in the Window Peter Millar
Words to encourage us in these times.
Connecting after many weeks!
Many thanks for all your messages over these last weeks. As some of my local friends in Edinburgh already know, my journey with cancer has been tough recently, although I have loved the glorious days of Spring here in the UK. I hope to be able to send out a Reflection in the coming weeks. Here in the UK during these last few days we have been celebrating Queen Elizabeth being the longest serving monarch (70 years) in British history. I do not usually include articles on the Royal family in these reflections, but I thought many of you would be interested in a reflection on the Platinum Jubilee. This article was in the UK newspaper The Times. Peter.
Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth:
Lead me from bitterness, to a wider understanding::
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust:
Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace:
Let peace fill our hearts, our world our universe.
The International Prayer for Peace
Genuine compassion:
We are by nature, Compassionate. But compassion can also grow within us. It is important to know the exact meaning of compassion. The Buddhist interpretation is that genuine compassion is based on a clear acceptance or recognition that others, like oneself, want happiness and have the right to overcome suffering. On that basis one develops some kind of concern about the welfare of others, irrespective of their attitude to oneself. That is compassion. The Dalai Lama
Life-giving questions for all of us:
A good friend of many years, Don Stubbings in Birmingham, some weeks ago sent me this reflection which comes from The Society of Friends (The Quakers) and I understand was written by Barry Morley.
Do you recognise that you are the light of the world, and that your role is to touch the world with that light?
Are you open to being Way Opening for others?
Do you look for the best in people, giving them opportunity to respond accordingly?
Do you recognise the things in your life that centre you, and do you turn to them before you need to?
Do you remain alert that young people pattern their lives after you, seeing in you things that they might aspire to?
When you feel yourself in error are you as lovingly patient with yourself as you’d like to be with a child?
Do you live your life in such a way that you draw all things into harmony with God’s universal love?
Do you dwell joyfully in the mystery?
Do you keep yourself open to the promises, power, and possibilities of your own inner life?
A party like no other:
Few monarchs, or indeed heads of state in any country, would mark a national celebration of their reign by opening a handbag and producing a marmalade sandwich. The Queen’s encounter with Paddington Bear across the tea table at Windsor Castle perfectly captured the note of her Platinum Jubilee: it was funny, it was fun, it punctured the pomposity of the ceremonies and it appealed to the generation of her great-grandchildren, who were as excited and jubilant as children across the nation waving flags for the big occasion.
This was a party like no other. It has not happened before and it will not happen again, as so many of those thronging the Mall, festooning their villages with bunting and sharing their festive cases and sandwiches at street parties told television cameras from around the world. It was a rare occasion on which it did not seem old-fashioned to be patriotic or openly proud of the nation’s heritage. It was a time when the values of friendship, good humour and neighbourliness were on full display in a shared celebration of nationhood.
Above all, the jubilee succeeded because it was planned and arranged with a professionalism and meticulous attention to detail that also left room for spontaneity, surprising all those who had not expected much from the occasion but rapidly became caught up in the excitement. The fly-past spelling an elegant 70 was a demonstration of remarkable skill. The drones that lit up the evening sky with heraldic devises and symbols of royalty made the most of today’s technology. The beacons that flashed out electronically harked back to ancient days when danger had to be signalled by fire across the country. The ceremonies at Cardiff Castle and elsewhere made this a national, not London-centric, tribute. And the colourful contribution of Britain’s vibrant ethnic minorities underlined the ethnic and cultural transformation of Britain during the Queen’s very long reign.
For a rare four days Britain was able to look back, take pride in its institutions and treat them with a respect that was somewhat lacking during the Diamond Jubilee. At least this time the BBC made sure its commentators had done their research and kept the right balance between gratitude, solemnity and fun. And the echo from overseas seemed a welcome change from the usual impression that Britain’s standing and visibility were now much diminished. The Commonwealth, a cause dear to the Queen, repaid her commitment with open gratitude; in the United States, where the popular view veers from Downton Abbey to Hollywood villains with British Accents, the president sent a message of affection and congratulations. And even in Europe, where ties have become cooler, the Queen’s role was saluted, and merited a thoroughbred cavalry grey, chosen as a gift by President Macron from the Republican Guard. The French president may hold the prime minister in contempt, but his tribute to the Queen in flawless English, was powerful and heartfelt.
The outpouring of affection and respect for a monarch who must now rate as one of the greatest to sit on the throne was the focus of the jubilee. As important, however, was the relief of so many people to escape from the daily headlines of war, economic gloom, inflation, travel chaos and domestic political turmoil. If foreign holidays are now blighted by nightmare journeys, at least there was a chance to have some fun and respite at home. Thanks to generous sponsors, there won’t be a huge bill for taxpayers to pick up later. And it was a relief to be able to have parties of as many as wanted to come without the threat of police fines.
All jubilees are artificial constructs. The nation could give thanks to the Queen on any day. But they serve as punctuation marks in British history, and are used as occasions to look forward as well as back. A new generation of the royal family is arriving. It will be a different world for them and us.
Days of peace – words of Pope John II:
Give us era days of peace, speak to the hearts of those responsible for the fate of peoples. Stop the ‘logic’ of the revenge and retaliation; and through your Spirit suggest new solutions, generous and honourable features, and room for dialogue. Give us all that patient waiting which is more fruitful than the hurried deadlines of war.