Friday, March 22, Lent 33
This is the first half of a longer quote that says:
‘We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.’ William E Gladstone
Gladstone was from a family that had grown rich off the slave trade. He started out in politics defending slave owners and worked on the bill to get compensation for his own father when slavery was abolished through the British Empire. He began as a rising hope for the ‘stern and unbending’ conservatives but through his time in various positions in parliament he changed his mind and position on many things. He changed parties and became the Liberal Prime Minister who was disliked by Queen Vicotria for his radicalism, she called him a ‘half-mad firebrand.’
Towards the end of his life, Gladstone observed, ‘I was brought up to distrust and dislike liberty; I learned to believe in it.’
(Thanks to Professor Richard Gaunt for this insight on nottingham.ac.uk)
All that to say, people can change. We should let them.
Let’s pray.
Where we need to change our minds to bend towards the freedom and peace of others may we do so.
Where our leaders need to change their minds to bend towards the freedom and peace of others may they do so.
Where our ‘enemies’ need to change their minds to bend towards the freedom and peace of others may they do so.
May we all know the Power of Love to replace the love of power.
Amen.