It is a common enough
assertion in society that immigrants do the jobs that most of us are unwilling
to perform even when we ourselves are destitute and unemployed. Speaking to an
Anglican priest yesterday he mentioned a part of the priestly vestments that in
these times is rarely worn. A small insignificant part of the priest’s apparel that
might easily go unnoticed. Yet sometimes the smallest thing has the greatest
meaning.
The ‘maniple’ is an
embroidered piece of silk worn over the left arm and resembles a hand towel. The
maniple is there to remind the priest that he is a servant of God. That
underneath the rich robes and gowns the priest is first and foremost a servant
to all. In the Bible we read in the gospel of John
chapter 13 that because there was no servant at the Passover meal Jesus himself
took up the towel and a bowl of water to wash his disciples’ feet. A menial
task performed by the Son of God who was prepared to humble himself at every
opportunity to fulfil the Father’s will.
In 1967 the Roman Catholic
Church gave an instruction that ‘The maniple is no longer required.’ Do we also
carry within our hearts an instruction that the wash cloth is no longer
required?
It is on this day all those
in Great Britain and the Commonwealth group of nations celebrate and give
thanks to God for Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth for her servant heart
towards her subjects over the past sixty years.
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