Dear Friends

Galatians 5:  1

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

For St Paul, slavery was an everyday event.  Everyone took it for granted that people owned slaves.  People have written whole books about whether Paul was for or against it, but what is certain is that he definitely lived with it in the same way that one might live with a dodgy hip before transplants.  It was an uncomfortable fact of life.  What is also true is that Paul was convinced there was no slavery in the Kingdom of God.  The verse above is evidence of that and there is plenty more.
In this verse Paul is talking about more than human bondage.  He is, in a remarkably forthright way, pointing out to the young Church in Galatia that Christianity brings release from the prescriptive Jewish demands of the Law.  You don’t have to be good enough to follow Jesus, in fact it’s a positive advantage if you know you’re not good enough.  Then it’s easier to be honest with him and allow him to share your failings and remove their sting with love and acceptance.  To set you free from them, if you like.  For freedom Christ has set us free.  The Church in Galatia had been beguiled into believing that the Jewish of circumcision, so essential to being a Jew, was irrelevant to being a Christian.  St Paul is saying, ‘If you submit to circumcision, it’s like becoming a slave to duty and expectation all over again.’  Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery..
 
We British have a not very glorious past where slavery is concerned as has been highlighted by the recent gatherings and demonstrations.  Black Lives Matter.  And there is still huge inequality and lack of opportunity purely based on the colour of your skin.  We should not just shrug our shoulders at that.  At St Mary’s we can highlight our anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson who is buried in our churchyard, a contemporary of William Wilberforce, so, as well as the suffering of slavery that has been caused, often by devout Christians,  let us not forget the good that has been achieved, certainly in the name of Christ.  For freedom Christ has set us free. 
 
Also, remember the unpalatable truth that slavery is alive and well in Britain today,.  It is highly likely that there are slaves from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe in Letchworth and Baldock.  Indeed I took the funeral of one poor fellow who had been rescued from slavery but consequently became alcoholic and died about 5 years ago.  It is hard to know what we as individuals can do about this, but it does help to keep your eyes open and remember that it exists, sometimes under our very noses.  Then we will be honouring the memory of Thomas Clarkson far better than merely keeping his grave clean and tidy and we might just be able to set someone free..Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Perhaps we’ll have a bit more on slavery tomorrow!
A prayer
Heavenly Father,
who sees the unseen and notices the unnoticed,
help each of us to hear the hidden voices of those
who pray for release from slavery and exploitation,
so that we may give ourselves more fully to the service of your saving love,
and be strengthened together as agents of your healing and hope,
through Jesus Christ,
who himself came to serve as a slave,
so as to bring freedom and grace to all.
Amen
This is a piece of music by Errollyn Wallen, called Mighty River, written to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in this country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdiltQdRIjE

According to the composer it explores themes of slavery and freedom.  It may not be entirely to your taste depending how much you like contemporary music, but I’m sure you’ll love the first minute!

If you would like to join us for Evening Prayer on Tuesday it is at 4.30pm.

The link is:
Topic: Zoom Evening Prayer on Tuesday
Time: Jun 23, 2020 04:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 810 8719 8470
Password: 651344
The times for Evening Prayer for the rest of the week are as follows:
Wednesday 5pm
Thursday 4.30pm
Friday 5pm
Saturday 5pm
Sunday Morning Worship at 9.30am  and Evening Prayer at 6pm.
Every blessing
Andrew