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21/04/2015
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day the Rev'd Dr Martyn Atkins.
Last on
Tue 21 Apr 2015
05:43
成人快手 Radio 4
Script
Good morning.
I was privileged to attend the Royal Maundy at Sheffield Cathedral, at which Her Majesty the Queen 鈥� whose actual birthday it is today - distributed Maundy money 鈥� or, as its now described, 鈥榞ifts鈥�.
The practice of giving alms and foot washing on Maundy Thursday, the day when we remember that Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples, goes back at least to the 13th century. Foot-washing at the Royal Maundy itself was discontinued in the 1730s, though there are symbolic reminders in the modern service, as some assisting the Queen are girded with linen towels, and carry nosegays of pungent herbs as a quaint reminder that going near dirty feet was not without its consequences!
In the 15th century it was decided that the number of recipients should be related to the age of the Sovereign: one for each year. At that time Maundy money was given only to those of the same sex as the Sovereign, but that changed in the 18th century and today as many men and women as the age of the Sovereign receive the Royal Maundy. So in Sheffield, Her Majesty distributed 89 pence in beautiful little purses of red and white, to 89 men and 89 women.
It was enormously moving to watch ordinary men and women, some very fragile, some in wheelchairs, receiving their gifts from a smiling, gracious Queen: ordinary men and women who, it became clear as I spoke to some of them afterwards, had done extraordinary things, for good, and for others.
Lord Jesus, Servant King, we thank you today for all those whose humble service has enriched our lives, and the lives of our communities; those who in modest but real ways, emulate your own generous, life changing self-giving. Amen.
I was privileged to attend the Royal Maundy at Sheffield Cathedral, at which Her Majesty the Queen 鈥� whose actual birthday it is today - distributed Maundy money 鈥� or, as its now described, 鈥榞ifts鈥�.
The practice of giving alms and foot washing on Maundy Thursday, the day when we remember that Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples, goes back at least to the 13th century. Foot-washing at the Royal Maundy itself was discontinued in the 1730s, though there are symbolic reminders in the modern service, as some assisting the Queen are girded with linen towels, and carry nosegays of pungent herbs as a quaint reminder that going near dirty feet was not without its consequences!
In the 15th century it was decided that the number of recipients should be related to the age of the Sovereign: one for each year. At that time Maundy money was given only to those of the same sex as the Sovereign, but that changed in the 18th century and today as many men and women as the age of the Sovereign receive the Royal Maundy. So in Sheffield, Her Majesty distributed 89 pence in beautiful little purses of red and white, to 89 men and 89 women.
It was enormously moving to watch ordinary men and women, some very fragile, some in wheelchairs, receiving their gifts from a smiling, gracious Queen: ordinary men and women who, it became clear as I spoke to some of them afterwards, had done extraordinary things, for good, and for others.
Lord Jesus, Servant King, we thank you today for all those whose humble service has enriched our lives, and the lives of our communities; those who in modest but real ways, emulate your own generous, life changing self-giving. Amen.
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- Tue 21 Apr 2015 05:43成人快手 Radio 4
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