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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Canon Rachel Mann.

Good morning.

Conscious as I am that early morning maths problems are not to everyone’s taste, I share the following simple challenge with all due caution. So, suppose you were to buy a bat and ball for one pound and ten pence. The bat costs one pound more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

I have to say that the first time I heard this problem, I thought the answer was obvious. I said, quick as a flash, ‘Clearly, the ball costs ten pence.’ Of course, I know now that this answer is wrong. The correct answer is that the ball costs five pence. If you don’t believe me, do take a moment later today to figure out why.

Apparently the vast majority of people who are asked to give a quick reaction response to the bat and ball question get it wrong. Indeed, this little maths challenge has been used to show how quick thinking is not always the smartest thinking.

Quick reaction thinking is really useful, of course. Being able to give quick decisions can be both valuable and necessary.

The maths example, however, reminds us that sometimes slow thinking is good. This matters especially with how we treat one another. Jesus provides us with almost too familiar challenges: to love our neighbours as ourselves and not to judge lest we be judged. When I slow my thinking down and look beyond assumptions and stereotypes I find I live with greater generosity.

God of Wisdom, when we are tempted to make snap judgments or treat others with prejudice, still our minds and hearts and grant us the judgment to live according to your love.

Amen.

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