THE offer of friendship shown by Jesus to his disciples when he washed their feet is an example from which the nation “advantages greatly” in times of need, the King has said in a pre-recorded message for Maundy Thursday.
His audio message, recorded in mid-March, was played during a service at Worcester Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, where the Queen distributed the Royal Maundy gifts on his behalf. The King is currently undergoing treatment for cancer (News, 9 February).
He read the primary lesson (John 13.1–15), before relaying a private message.
The tradition of presenting alms, he said, had its origin within the lifetime of Jesus, “who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet. And, as we’ve got just heard, in doing so, he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should always serve and look after one another.”
The UK, he said, was “blessed by all different services that exist for our welfare. But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we’d like — and profit greatly — from those that extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.”
The King continued: “The 150 men and girls who’ve been chosen today to receive the Maundy Money from my wife are wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the decision of duty and of giving a lot of their lives to the service of others of their communities.
“This act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, jogs my memory of the pledge I made at the start of the Coronation Service: to follow Christ’s example ‘to not be served but to serve’. That I even have at all times tried to do and proceed to do, with my whole heart.
“It is my special prayer today that our Lord’s example of serving each other might proceed to encourage us and to strengthen all our communities.”
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said that it was “an honour” to welcome the Queen to the cathedral. “This is an immensely special service, and I do know it is going to mean an enormous amount to those that have been chosen to receive the coins, all of whom can have given years of service to their local communities.”
It was announced on Thursday that the King would attend the Easter morning service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. It has previously been announced that the Prince and the Princess of Wales and their children can be absent. The Princess can be undergoing treatment for cancer (News, 22 March).
