Reflections on a black day

I was at a funeral yesterday and, consequently, away from the keyboard. I was not very far away from the radio (travelling was involved which gave us the time to try and absorb some of what was going on in London) or from the mobile phone which I used to phone a number of friends who were due to be in London during yesterdays tragic events.

It was hard to keep a flurry of thoughts from entering my mind when I closed my eyes for the Lords prayer. It was hard to reflect upon a single life lost at the age of 95 when I knew that others were fighting for theirs right then in some hospital, on some pavement, in some dark and smoke filled tunnel. It was hard to keep my thoughts focused on the matter in hand when the curtains closed around that coffin towards the end of the service.

Sidney, farewell. You missed the tragedy by a week but no doubt the news of new arrivals will reach you soon.

And how we sang.

Jerusalem. Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England's green and pleasant land..

The whole congregation, loud and proud. And we meant it. Our spears, our swords, our chariots of fire. We will have peace in England and we will build our own Jerusalem but it will be a peace on our own terms and peace of our own choosing.

God bless the dead, the dying and the injured. God bless their families.