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Good morning.  It’s one of my abiding childhood memories – sitting wrapped up in the chill of the autumn air, chewing on chunks of treacle toffee and making patterns in the dark with our sparklers, and watching dad clamber about the flower beds to attach Catherine wheels to the fence posts and plant roman candles among the shrubs.  The sight and sound of those few small fireworks never failed to thrill.

Of course, it I wasn’t until I was older that I learned the origins of Bonfire Night – when, just after midnight on November 5th in 1605, thirty six barrels of gunpowder were found in the vaults under parliament,  along with Guy Fawkes, armed with fuses and matches.  The terrorist plot of which he was a part, was on an unprecedented scale, born out of religious oppression and political division.  James I’s plans to unite England and Scotland and his limiting of Catholics’ civil rights and freedom to worship aroused anger.  The plotters aimed to wipe out the establishment and stir up a popular revolt.

In recent months, we’ve seen democratic processes in this country and beyond reflect the level of people’s dissatisfaction with the status quo, and their resulting desire to give the establishment a bloody nose.  It’s laid bare the rift between the haves and have nots and compromised  the sense  of unity within our society and between nations.

Lord, we pray that the ears and eyes of the powerful may be open to those who feel powerless.  May they be compelled to address the causes of discontent, yet have wisdom to resist populist forces of prejudice or individualism.  May we all learn to recognise difference but to work towards generous communities, fostering mutual care and respect.  Amen.