During the last great world war, it was popular entertainers, what we would call 'pop stars', who kept spirits up and offered light in gloom. Their enthusiasm helped to rally the troops fighting in cruel theatres of conflict—these superstars thought nothing of performing for the armed forces with real battles raging nearby. One of these was the ever-popular, Vera Lynn—nicknamed, 'the forces' sweethearts'. From 'Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover' to 'Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye', Vera Lynn became synonymous with encouraging soldiers, sailors and airmen through their most difficult of times facing the Axis powers. Perhaps her greatest song of encouragement was 'We'll Meet Again', evoking a time when all would be well and safe once again:

We'll meet again,

Don't know where,

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through,

Just like you always do

'Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.

Vera Lynn helped to encourage the nation during those dark days of war and the threat of Nazi oppression. She helped to build up the national psyche, especially when the great cities of Europe were being bombarded by the Luftwaffe nightly. She was seen as a valuable fighting force to stand up to the aggression of bullies. Until her death in 2020, at the age of 103, she remained a national treasure and an icon of unity in the most difficult of times. She wisely reminded that 'we can't change the past, but we can learn from history and remember the important things - the sacrifices our loved ones made, and the price of our freedom today.'

In these past few days, we have seen another outpouring of love for another icon of unity, Queen Elizabeth II. Her death has shown how much she was, genuinely, appreciated by the people of her realm, the Commonwealth, and the global family. Indeed, it was this very global family that crammed into Westminster Abbey to share her funeral service. In a time when society might be more content to sing 'My Way', political and religious leaders from across various divides came together to share memories of a wonderful lady—one who took her duties, as sovereign, very seriously. In the Abbey, where people still gather to share Eucharist and proclaim the Word of God, the eyes of the world were totally focused. Billions across the globe joined with the Royal Family to bid a fitting farewell to a monarch who placed Christ at the centre of her life: she was the 'Servant Queen' who followed the example of the 'Servant King'.

The Archbishop of Canterbury in his homily at the funeral service made reference to Vera Lynn's iconic song. Just a couple of years ago when the nation was caught in the Covid-19 lockdown, it was Queen Elizabeth who typically came to the fore and offered her trademark vision of hope—something we saw in nearly seventy years of Christmas Messages. It was a time when families were forcibly separated, when loved ones died alone in hospital, when trains ran empty, and we became suspicious of strangers. It was a time when mask-wearing and hand sanitisers were mandatory, and we took regular tests to ensure we were virus free. In those difficult times, it was Her Majesty that brought the nation together: 'together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it. I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any…Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort. And though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and of none, are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause and reflect, in prayer or meditation.' As one forced to sit alone at her own husband's funeral following the strict government guidelines that were given to stop the spread of this deadly disease, she knew the pain of isolation and being away from loved ones. She did not think herself above these rules or seek to make political gain. As one who served the nation during the Second World War, remaining in London under Nazi bombardment, she knew the power of Vera Lynn's singing. As she ended her amazing speech on that April 2020 night, when people were genuinely scared and feeling so alone, she was able to utilise that wartime message, as we fought this mystery virus. She recognised that coronavirus could only be defeated by the global family working closely together:

While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed - and that success will belong to every one of us. We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.'

In his wonderful funeral homily, Archbishop Welby was able to turn this notion of 'we'll meet again' into a deeply Christian concept. He reminded the global congregation that, while leaders, across the globe, come and go, Queen Elizabeth stood for eternal values that transcend party politics. Just a short distance from Parliament where we witness weekly political infighting, the Archbishop spoke of the unity and love that lies at the heart of the Christian message. As Christians we are people of resurrection and hope: as Pope Francis reminds us:

'What was humanly unthinkable happened…Christ, my hope, is risen!' And in Him we too are resurrected, passing from death to life, from the slavery of sin to the freedom of love…It is women who are the first to meet the Risen One and bring the announcement that he is alive. All the Gospels highlight the role of women, Mary Magdalene and the others, as the first witnesses of the resurrection…the words Jesus addressed to the women must also resound in our lives today, "Do not be afraid; go and announce!'

For the past seventy years, it has been a woman, our beloved Queen who has not been afraid to go and announce that Good News. Another lady, Liz Truss, the British Prime Minister proclaimed the Gospel of John in which Jesus proclaims himself to be 'the way, truth and the life!' (Jn 14:6). In the teaching of Jesus, we have a guide that is our way through life. Thousands of people made a simple pilgrimage to see the final remains lying in state in Westminster Hall—they queued through the night and all day to catch a simple glimpse of the coffin and pay their respects. Many have compared it to a pilgrimage of hope: people, from across the globe, following a path of unity to pay homage to a woman who, even in death, could bring people together. As a ruler she strove to follow that truth that only a true understanding of the gospel can bring. As our former monarch, we pray that she enjoys the eternal life of resurrection, as the homily reminded us, 'Jesus – who in our reading does not tell his disciples how to follow, but who to follow – said: 'I am the way, the truth and the life.' Her late Majesty's example was not set through her position or her ambition, but through whom she followed.'

It was this 'loving service' that perhaps marked her out in the spectrum of world leaders. He told us, quite pointedly, that we will easily forget those narcissistic leaders who only want power to massage their own selfish egos. The Archbishop once again used the song of Vera Lynn to make his point. Near to the high altar where the Last Supper is remembered, and where the Queen made her Coronation promises, he asked us to have hope in that powerful message of Jesus that death is not the end and that we will 'meet again'. It is this Christian optimism that must be a living hallmark of our ministry. In thanksgiving for her reign of seventy years, we have much to thank Elizabeth II for. I pray that her example becomes a legacy that all can follow in the years to come:

'Christian hope means certain expectation of something not yet seen…We will all face the merciful judgment of God: we can all share the Queen's hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership. Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen's example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: 'We will meet again.'

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Photo by Jiahui Mou on Unsplash