Revd Jacintha Danaswamy, Curate, St Mary’s and the Parish of Walthamstow, writes: 

Last week I had the privilege of attending a wonderful event at Lambeth Palace for Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic clergy, ordinands, and lay ministers. It was organised by the Church of England Racial Justice Unit, and it was a joy to share experiences and hear stories from church communities across the country. 

The conversations were enriched by a broad range of leaders from the Church of England, including Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop Arun Arora, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. 

There was also great music and delicious food! 

The day celebrated diversity and inclusion, and promoted racial justice. In the Eucharist Service, we were reminded that we are each a cherished and valued part of the body of Christ. And although the day was one of joyful community and deepening of friendships, we often returned to the issue troubling many of us: the increasing prevalence of Christian Nationalism in the UK and the co-opting of Christian symbolism by the far right. 

Listening to stories of fear and intimidation was deeply troubling and alarming. 

Commenting on the co-opting of Christian symbols by the far right, Bishop Arun said: ‘It is not the cross of Christ which is on display, but rather an accessory utilised by opportunists who fail to understand the sacrificial, self-giving, triumphant love exhibited by Jesus on the cross.’ 

This love exhibited by Jesus on the cross is the source of our new humanity, and it reminds us that our identity is found first in Jesus Christ.

Our Bible reading for Morning Prayer on Tuesday was from the Book of Acts; in it, we read how Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten and thrown in prison, and how, as they prayed, the ground shuddered and the prison doors flew open. When the prison guard thought they had escaped, he was distraught and attempted to take his own life, but Paul shouts,

‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here’ (Acts 16:28). 

It is a profound moment: in all the chaos, Paul and Silas – arrested and imprisoned – see the humanity of the guard; they see the anguish and pain of the person before them, and they choose empathy and compassion. Instead of anger or hate, they offer an outpouring of God’s love, and in doing so, they not only recognise the guard’s humanity, but do not lose their own.

Brother Sam, of the Society of St Francis, speaks of how in contemporary society, there is a danger of losing our humanity; to prevent this, he encourages us to return, again and again, to God, and to continually seek the pattern of our humanity in the image of Jesus Christ. 

I pray, this week, we will be encouraged by Paul and Silas – that in fear or anxiety, we will know God’s peace and grace, and that we will continue to seek the pattern of our humanity in Christ.

With love,

Jacintha