Christian Comment with Reverend David Newell of St Mary's Church, Painswick

Responding to violence

THERE seems to be no end to violence.

The other week we were remembering the 7/7 bombings in London when 52 innocent people were killed and many more were injured.

A few weeks ago 38 holidaymakers were massacred in Tunisia.

Now British citizens have been ordered to leave Tunisia because of further violent threats.

On Sunday evening, July 5, there was a programme on the television entitled 'A Song for Jenny'.

Jenny was a victim of the London bombing at the Aldgate tube station.

The TV programme traced the harrowing experience of Julie, Jenny's mum as she tried to find out what had happened to her daughter.

During that experience, one day in London she hailed a taxi to take her to Paddington station.

She wanted to catch a train to take her back to Reading where she was temporarily staying with other members of her family.

'Up for a bit of shopping are we or perhaps to see a show?" the driver quipped.

When he learnt what she was really doing he turned the taxi round and drove her all the way to Reading.

He wouldn't accept payment.

"I wanted you to know," he said, "that there is still some good left in the world".

There is a lot of good in the world.

That has been the Christian message ever since the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Jesus came from God with a message of hope, compassion, healing and love.

It was St Francis of Assisi who prayed, "Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me see your love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy".

Perhaps, we could all make this prayer our own.