The evil of Covid-19 has helped uncover hidden good in our communities: Crooked Spire vicar’s column

The problem of hypocrisy goes back right through history – Jesus himself told his followers to do what the teachers of the Law told them, but not to follow their bad examples: do as they say, but not as they do.

The pulling down of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol is an interesting example of the way good and evil cannot so easily be told apart. The statue was erected in 1895 in recognition of a ‘virtuous and wise man’ who had richly endowed the life and health of Bristol through sharing his wealth with hospitals, almshouses, schools and churches for the people of the city. The statute was pulled down a few weeks ago in the course of the Black Lives Matter protests in recognition that his wealth came from his significant role in the evil African slave trade, which entailed murder, misery and oppression for millions.

Does the good cancel out the evil? Or the evil completely eclipse the good? Or is the reality actually somewhere in between? I’m not sure – and the reason is that I can see both sides of the issue, and I am also very conscious that my life continues to be a struggle between the best that I might be, and the attitudes and actions I am ashamed of before God.

Struggling with the evil of COVID19 has for many people helped to uncover some of the hidden good that is done in our communities, and on a global level the lockdown has given the things of nature a breathing space from human destruction and pollution. The world has shown its resilience, and it is time for humankind to return the favour.

In fact, the greatest good any of us could do at this crucial time in history is to enable the future. This means the future of creation, learning the obvious lessons nature has taught us over the past months – and also the future of our fellow humans.

Protest movements do little more than make the protestors feel better, unless they actually bring about real change. To protest about racism is useless unless racist and other exclusivist attitudes are rooted out at every level of society. To protest against an 18th century white slaver is useless unless the work is done to root out the modern slavery that is still taking place under our noses in this and other communities, and also the slavery that continues in various forms worldwide, and is perpetrated by people of all races and colours.

Over to you – what can we do, individually and together, to enable the future of the world, its peoples and the whole of creation?

Keep safe and keep well.

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