麻豆约拍

A reflection and prayer to start the day with Rick Hill

Good morning.

Thirty six years ago today the Live Aid Benefit concerts were held in London and Philidelphia to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.It was a collective act of kindness and cultural moment watched across the globe by an estimated audience of 1.9 billion people, 40 percent of the world鈥檚 population.

It is one of those unusual historical anchors. People of a certain age tend to remember where they were on the day. Some were lucky enough to be at the live event, most others watched on television. I remember listening on radio after an extraordinary sunny day sea-kayaking with friends off the northwest coast of Ireland. I later watched it on video.

We don鈥檛 just remember where we were and who we were with, we also recall which acts we thought were the best. Opinions varied, I guess they still might. Queen gets my vote for stealing the show. Commentators weren鈥檛 really expecting anything like the performance they produced. Freddy Mercury鈥檚 theatrics combined with a perfect set of six songs resonated with the audience.

It wasn鈥檛 just the musical genius of the performances which provides that memorable moment. The sense of collective action and internationalism behind the event and subsequent charitable response to the terrible famine showed a compassion and kindness that transcended borders and connected us with a wider sense of humanity.

The prophet Micah writes, 鈥淲hat does the Lord require of you but to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God?鈥�

Heavenly Father, as we remember moments of shared humanity and compassion, help us to respond to sisters and brothers in need. To do what is right, kind and with a pure heart. Amen