The Lesser Feast of Liliʻuokalani of Hawai’i, Queen
Welcome to Noonday Prayer at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. The service of Noonday Prayer begins on page 103 of the Book of Common Prayer. Learn more about today’s feast
Opening Sentence, page 103
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.
People: O Lord, make haste to help us.
All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 57:7-11, page 663
My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and make melody.
Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will waken the dawn.
I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD; *
I will sing praise to you among the nations.
For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.
Reading: Matthew 5:38-45
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”
Reflection: The Lesser Feast of Liliʻuokalani of Hawai’I, Queen
Queen Lili’uokalani is an example of a strong indigenous woman who lived a life committed to justice, nonviolence, and reconciliation. Her words, actions, and legacy, bear witness to her deep faith in Christ Jesus, and her steadfastness in life as an example of a baptized and confirmed member of our Church and of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu, Hawai’i. A persistent advocate for justice and nonviolence, who recognized the “Beloved Community” in her own day, the Queen refused sanction the use of force or to encourage her people to respond violently when faced by heavily armed forces from the United States Navy acting in support of a band of insurrectionists (largely from the United States and Europe) as her government was illegally overthrown (January 17, 1893). In doing so, she prevented the undue bloodshed of her people against overwhelming force. She appealed to President Grover Cleveland by surrendering her throne to the American government and asked her subjects to respect her decision. She was forcefully removed from her throne and subsequently imprisoned for her witness in opposition to American imperialism.
Her model of grace left a powerful symbol of God’s love that continues to be at the center of the Native Hawaiian community and to the entire Church. The Queen was also a well known musician and composer. One of her most well-known compositions is the Queen’s Prayer or Ke Aloha o Ka Haku sung most Sundays at parishes in Hawai‘i. It is based upon the readings of the only two books allowed to her during her imprisonment, the Holy Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. As a neighbor to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, she received refuge during the counterrevolution with the Anglican Sisters at St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls. They and the Bishop, the Right Reverend Alfred Willis, would minister and visit her during her imprisonment and these deeds of charity would influence Her Majesty to become a member of our Church. The lyrics reflect her faith in the face of adversity:
O kou aloha no, aia i ka lani Your love is in heaven
A ‘o kou ‘o ia i’o, he hemolelo ho’I Your truth, so perfect.
Ko’u noho mihi ana, a pa’ahao ia I live in sorrow, imprisoned.
O ‘oe ku’u lama, kou nani, ko’u ko’o You are my light, your glory my support
Mai nana ‘ino’ino, na hewa o kanaka Behold not with malevolence, the sins of man,
Aka e huikala, a ma’ema’e no But forgive, and forgive.
No laila e ka Haku, ma lalao kou ‘eheu And so, O Lord, beneath your wings,
Ko makou maluhia, a mau loa aku no Be our peace, forever more.
From Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2022
The Prayers, pages 106-107
Officiant: Lord have mercy.
People: Christ have mercy.
Officiant: Lord have mercy.
All:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Officiant: Lord, hear our prayer;
People: And let our cry come to you.
Officiant: Let us pray.
Almighty God, who called your daughter Lili‘uokalani to an earthly throne that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and endowed her with gift of song and love for her people: Grant that we may imitate her perseverance in adversity, her commitment to peace, and her capacity for forgiveness. All this we ask in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Intercessions and Thanksgivings
Dismissal, page 107
Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Officiant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.