Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor |
Rescuing damsels in distress was a major pre-occupation for lusty knights bachelor in the reign of the first Elizabeth. Now in the reign of the second Elizabeth, the damsels have themselves very successfully entered the emergency services in some numbers. Would be Sir Walter Raleigh’s must be more cautious before they intervene.
In any case knights now receive their accolade rather later in life and some refocusing of the knightly quest is in order. This service is being held in Remembrance-tide when we rehearse the words on the Kohima Memorial - Say this of us that we gave our tomorrow, for your today.
The recent financial turbulence and the credit crunch have revealed some uncomfortable truths about how we, as a generation, have lived in a way different from that which inspired – we gave our tomorrow for your today. There is nothing wrong with borrowing which can lift people out of poverty and give them fresh opportunities but we have run to excess in using up the resources of the earth and living on credit. The truth is that we have been mortgaging our children’s tomorrow to fund our today.
I would suggest that every modern knight might reflect on the ways in which damsel rescuing might morph into a particular concern for children and the young. We all have opportunities which differ according to our circumstances but in a Europe which is showing its faltering faith in itself by failing in many countries to maintain a birth rate at bare replacement level, knights who number themselves among society’s protectors should seek actively to serve the young. As Kipling says hauntingly – Dayspring mishandl’d cometh not again.
This starts of course with our own families. Too many people profess to love humanity and neglect their relatives. But I am also thinking of those who need mentors in tough schools; those who need role models and people prepared to invest time in running sports clubs and other activities; those who need some one to listen and believe in them and not least those who have already fallen foul of the law – there are 45,000 young people on the books of the Greater London Probation service alone. We need to enrich the memories of the young. Never have we known so much about now but never have we been so ignorant of how we got to now and what sacrifices it has involved. Such ignorance is dangerous. Without a long perspective we are too soon dejected and too soon elated.
Above all knights need to pass on an infectious and world transforming hope. Giant slaying is also on the knight’s agenda and Giant Glum closely followed by Giant Despair are stalking the land today. Of course if our hopes are invested in a project of growth without limit, with no end in view beyond the process itself; if our addiction to bread and circuses has crowded out spiritual growth and nourishment then coming off the drug is likely to lead to the usual withdrawal symptoms. But knights who have been tested in hard times know the strength that comes from being in touch with what is eternal, God whose human face Christians see in Jesus Christ.
We can look the darkness in the face without denial. We can face death without being morbid and indeed at a certain point in life any day spent without remembering our own death is a day wasted because such contemplation fuels our desire to turn all of life into eternal love.
Therefore knights of the Commonwealth for the sake of our children let us pass on indomitable hope and take up the whole armour of God so that we may be able to withstand on the evil day and having done everything to stand firm.
