v 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Churches around the world are invited to celebrate one Sunday in the year as Freedom Sunday. It offers churches an opportunity to pray, and take action if possible, around the issue of modern slavery. One official estimate of the problem in the UK states ‘ Since the year ending March 2016, there has been an increase in the number of modern slavery offences recorded by the police, from 909 to 5,144 offences in the year ending March 2019 In the year ending March 2019, there was a 51% rise in the number of modern slavery offences being recorded by the police compared with the previous year. Most noticeably, the offence “Require person to perform forced or compulsory labour” doubled in the year ending March 2019 compared with the previous year (from 611 to 1,240 offences). ‘
In other words, there is a significant amount of recorded instances of slavery in the UK. Worldwide, the issue is even more extensive, and affects millions.
Our readings this week aim to help us focus on the issue, and pray specifically about it.
In our reading today it would appear that Paul accepted slavery as a fact of life in that generation. His instruction to work and behave as faithful slaves may grate on our consciences, but Paul had bigger issues to which he devoted himself. The task of proclaiming Good News and urging people to be reconciled to God would bring about fundamental changes in society that would elevate the value of all individuals and render slavery obsolete. But mopping up operations continue today as traffickers still exploit the needy.
Pray for all those engaged in stamping out modern slavery and that those who are currently held in slavery of any kind will discover that genuine freedom brings a fuller life – but with fresh responsibilities.
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