Thought for the Week - 21st January 2024

Dear Friends, 

This week, 27th January, marks Holocaust Memorial Day and this year’s theme is entitled, ‘The Fragility of Freedom’. From the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust resources we read, ‘Freedom means different things to different people. What is clear is that in every genocide that has taken place, those who are targeted for persecution have had their freedom restricted and removed before many of them are murdered. This is often a subtle, slow process. The ten stages of genocide, as identified by Professor Gregory Stanton, demonstrate that genocide never just happens. There is always a set of circumstances which occur, or which are created, to build the climate in which genocide can take place and in which perpetrator regimes can remove the freedoms of those they are targeting. Not only do perpetrator regimes erode the freedom of people they are targeting, demonstrating how fragile freedom is, they also restrict the freedoms of others around them, to prevent people from challenging the regime. Despite this, in every genocide there are those who risk their own freedom to help others, to preserve others’ freedom or to stand up to the regime… Freedom is fragile, and it cannot be taken for granted.’ 

Grace and peace,

Neil

A Prayer for Holocaust Memorial Day 2024

‘The Fragility of Freedom’

 

Eternal God,

we come before you, conscious of the fragility of freedom,

to remember the victims of the Holocaust.

 

We lament the loss of the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust,

the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution,

and victims of all genocides.

 

Remembering the past, help us today to use what freedom we have

to stand up for those whose freedom is denied.

 

We pray for a day when all shall be free to live in peace, unity and love.

Amen.

 

Written by the Council for Christians and Jews (CCJ)

From the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Website

 

For more information about the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and this year’s theme go to https://www.hmd.org.uk/what-is-holocaust-memorial-day/this-years-theme/

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