Wednesday, August 18, 2010

August 18 – Shining Like the Sun



As the Scriptures bequeath to us, those who humble themselves will be exalted.

The crown-less Elizabeth, in a symbolic gown of monastic simplicity, hidden from view, anointed to care for others in the power and ministry of the Holy Ghost, must now receive the emblems of her authority, and she must “put on” the adornments of her new life.

First, the Colobian Sidonis, a white linen undergarment which she wore over her coronation gown. From earliest times, from the days of the Emporers of Byzantium, the mortal monarch has been loathe to put on glory without first accepting the garb of simplicity and humility.

Over the Colobian Sidonis came the resplendent Supertunica. She looked the vision of a Byzantium Empress in it. With flowing skirts and sleeves reaching nearly to the floor, she was covered in the gold of it from her shoulders to the floor. It was belted at the waist by a golden girdle. Elizabeth returned to St. Edward’s chair in shining, golden splendor.

Bare-headed, a vision of ancient and distant splendor and majesty, what shines through the gold and the orthodoxy was “right.” The symbols of power were about to come to her in succession, but without crown or diadem, the surpassing majesty of the next part of the ceremony was captured in the real-life display of the Windsor motto, “Dieu et Mon Droit” . . . God is My Right.

Had she not been relative to the first kings of the realm, she was by anointing and by proclamation, by the authority of the Church and the consent of the people, by her own Oath and Promises, she had was standing rightfully at the head of a nation, rightfully clothed in ancient and royal majesty, in the perfection of both humility and honor together, and she was about to receive every token of her rightful “highness” as their Guardian and Defender of the Faith.

Is there a correlation between Elizabeth on that day and us, the Brothers and Sisters of Cor Unum, when in the humility of Christ we at last reckon ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus, when we “put off” the old man with its corruptions and lusts, and “put on” Christ, not to walk back in front of a mirror for the rest of our days, but, as Elizabeth would have to do the NEXT morning, get down to the business of being heir of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ, Guardians of those know Him and of those who need Him, Defenders of the Faith in all our appearance at His throne?

A shining, golden imagery, certainly, as accurate as anything we will consider today here in Cor Unum, Monastery where we reign in the splendor of the Majesty of the Heart of God.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Your comments and corrections are welcome in Cor Unum Abbey . . .