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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Revd Azariah France-Williams

Good morning.

On this day in 1938 there was pandemonium as a number of Americans were unwittingly tricked into believing that Martians were invading the earth.
Long before the term ‘fake news,’ a gifted Orson Welles had adapted sections of the English author H.G. Wells book ‘War of the Worlds’ and broadcast them on radio. Although the beginning of the broadcast indicated it was a radio drama, the way in which the dramatic bulletins were delivered by the actors, and the fact that the structure of the radio show was altered to exclude the usual ad breaks, added a sense of credibility. So much so that many who tuned in were carried along thinking the story true. The next day Orson Welles was known by everyone. He denied it was a purposeful attempt to dupe listeners, though some cast doubt on his apology.

Intended or not, it catapulted him into the national spotlight. He hacked the consciousness of the nation and a number were gripped. In these precarious moments in our national life we can become glued to the news and the fears which seem threatening not just our way of life, but life itself. One of the Bible’s most frequent affirmations is some variation of ‘Fear not’ or ‘do not be afraid’. A friend often reminds me ‘when things do not go to plan, respond, don’t just react’. Another frequent affirmation in the Christian Scriptures is to ‘praise God’: to choose to find the good , to not ignore our fears but find the wisdom and then courage buried within them.

God of truth, make us an invasion of love within the world you have made. Make us a blessing to our families, and friends, knowing that we have come in peace.

Amen.