大象传媒

Good morning.

In the shock of the May 2017 terrorist attack in the centre of Manchester, I had to learn quickly. It fell to me, as bishop, to try to give a moral lead to the people of my city and beyond. I had to offer some direction as to how to channel their feelings in the aftermath of an atrocity which had taken 22 lives and maimed hundreds more. The aim of the perpetrator had been, I felt sure, to create division between us. To incite reprisals, particularly against those who shared his faith, so that peaceful coexistence would not longer be possible in our diverse city.

Turning to my scriptures, I found in the teachings of both Jesus and St Paul, that anger could be channelled in a different direction, not to revenge but defiance. It came to me that we could best defy the aims of the terrorist by using his action as a spur to draw closer to each other. We could combat his hatred not with hatred of our own but with love, and respond to his violence with peace. That, I became sure, was what Jesus had meant about turning the other cheek; what Paul had meant in commending acts of kindness and generosity towards our enemies.

So, this is my prayer for today.

Almighty God, I ask not that you take away my anger at violence and injustice, but that you will guide me to direct it along the paths of peace. May it strengthen me to defy hatred, and to be instead a force for love and reconciliation, not only in this Week of Prayer for World Peace, but always. Amen.