We held a ‘Service Celebrating the Coronation’ where we paused to reflect on the meaning of the coronation...

Video combined with photos from our Coronation Service

This afternoon during our usual chapel slot, we held a ‘Service Celebrating the Coronation’ where we paused to reflect on the meaning of the coronation and pray for the King and Royal Family in advance of Saturday’s momentous occasion. It was lovely to decorate St Mary’s with union flags, the coronation emblem, and a large portrait of the King. We opened the service with the Chapel Choir processing in to ‘All Creatures That On Earth Do Dwell’, which was followed by a prayer specially written by the Church of England for such services.

At the heart of our service, was pondering the meaning behind three of the strange/weird things that will occur at the coronation on Saturday. Firstly, the King will be anointed with oil. This is an ancient custom that goes back to the time of kings in the Old Testament. Anointing means ‘to be set apart for service’. Thus, we recognised that by being anointed, the King is making a visible sign that he will seek to reign by setting his life apart for the service of our nation and commonwealth. What a wonderful posture our new leader is seeking to embody! It is rooted in Jesus Christ, the King of King’s, who in Mark 10:45 tells us he came “not to be served, but to serve, by giving his life as a ransom for many.”

Secondly, we mulled over the meaning of the King receiving a sceptre, orb, and crown. All three of them have a cross on top of them. This is to remind the King that in serving us, he must seek to follow Jesus Christ, the one who served us ultimately by giving up his life on the cross. Indeed, the best leaders serve their people by following Jesus Christ.

Finally, we considered why the King will be given a sword. This is tied into the Bible reading at Saturday’s service (which we also had during our service). In it, Jesus enters a synagogue and reads from the scroll of Isaiah, telling the people gathered that, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Jesus then declares that, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” As King Charles is presented with the sword, the Archbishop of Canterbury will charge him to, “Receive this kingly Sword. May it be to you, and to all who witness these things, a sign and symbol not of judgement, but of justice; not of might, but of mercy. With this sword do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the holy Church of God and all people of goodwill, help and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order.” Thus, the sword is a sign that Charles will seek to follow Jesus’ example of pursuing justice - defending those who are weak, marginalised, and abused. It’s not a sword to wage war with, but a sword that symbolises a leader who ought to pursue justice.

Thus, in the Coronation Service we have a wonderful message of what true leadership entails - not just for the King, but for anyone seeking to lead: It involves, setting yourself apart for service (not power and prestige). It involves, following Jesus, the King of King’s who came not to be served, but to serve. And it involves pursuing justice - seeking to defend those in need. It is our prayer that this would be the case for King Charles, and also for all of us as we lead.

Lastly, my thanks must go to the Chapel Choir (especially Mr Marshfield) for sublimely performing the Royal School of Church Music’s coronation anthem, ‘The Mountains Shall Bring Peace’ by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange. It beautifully reinforced the message we had heard. Likewise, my thanks go to Luke and Amelia, our Heads of School for reading so well (Luke also played the role of the King - being anointed, and receiving a sceptre, orb, crown and sword!).

We now look forward to this Saturday when alongside hundreds of millions around the world, we shall watch the coronation and pray for His Majesty, King Charles III.

Rev’d George Beverly  Chaplain.

Flickr album: Coronation Service - 3rd May 2023 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin