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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rev Canon Dr Jennifer Smith, Superintendent Minister of Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission

Good Morning. I’m an early riser, and among the first things I see in the morning are the overnight headlines from the United States. This week and last, each morning it’s been shocking viewing.

First we saw George Floyd dying with a policeman’s knee on his neck, saying ‘I can’t breathe.’ Then there were people protesting peacefully in the streets, others looting and clashes with police and further violence.

Amidst it all, story after story of the racism and fear with which black people and people of colour live every day. Racism is a sin. And racism has a handmaiden, which is privilege for white or lighter skinned people, myself included.

And yet, amidst the shouting and the violence, there have been others no less passionate, speaking about equality, justice, and love. Here in London too: people standing together and taking collective responsibility for change.

An older church woman I knew when I was fresh in ministry, herself of the Windrush generation, used to admonish me when I got self righteous – she would tell me to ‘vex the devil’ by giving thanks in all circumstances. I always wanted to be more strident, and she would hold me back, reminding me to deal with my own heart first. And then, yes, stand up and act: in love, for change. And not to stop.

William Butler Yeats wrote of the time when ‘the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.’ Holy God, we pray that today is not that day. Give each of us peace, wisdom, and clarity of purpose. Amen.