Calrossy Chaplaincy

The Queen Of Long Weekends?

Maybe last week seemed to go a bit quicker for you than usual?  Chances are it’s because most (if not all) of us got to enjoy a long weekend that reduced the working week quite pleasantly. It also gave most of our boarders some time with their families; as well as reminding all of us that a longer holiday wasn’t too far away! (at the end of this week – but who’s counting?? 😁) 

Of course, this happens every year because our Governments have gazetted this particular weekend in June, for many years, as a celebration of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.  The irony is that it isn’t the Queen’s actual birthday at all!  Her real birthdate is 21st April.  I’m still not sure why we don’t recognise it on that date; unless it’s too close to our Anzac Day to be used as an excuse for (another) holiday…

While I’m sure we appreciate having off that second Monday in June, apart from her real birthdate, and the fact that she’s just achieved the Platinum Jubilee of her reign (70 years is an amazing record, really!), there’s not a lot that I actually know about the Queen.    Watching the TV series ‘The Crown’ helped correct that a lot – but how much of that history was “adjusted” from what really happened?? Many of you reading this could probably improve my knowledge of the Queen; and there may even be a few of you who’ve had the privilege and experience of meeting Her Majesty in person. That takes your understanding of her to another level!  You can say that you don’t just know things about the Queen; you can claim to know her (even if it’s just a little)!

Knowing (or, rather, not knowing!) about the Queen really hasn’t affected my life in any significant way. But that’s not the case when it comes to the One who is King over all queens & kings & royalty in our world.  The amazing reality that I can not only know about the God who has created me and given me life, but can know Him personally, is a privilege that has a far greater impact on me than meeting any earthly ruler would.  And that’s a knowledge that, through Jesus, is freely available to any one of us…

Rev. Mark Rundle

Calrossy School Chaplain