16/01/2015

Good morning.

On the 16th January 1920 the United States introduced the nationwide constitutional ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. We know it better as “prohibition”.

The unintended consequences were enormous: The rise of the Mafia and organised crime; widespread corruption in the police forces in every large city US; the courts overwhelmed.
Winston Churchill visited the US during prohibition. He’s reputed to have said prohibition “is an affront to the whole history of mankind”. While in New York he was involved in a car accident and subsequently secured a prescription which reads, “This is to certify that the post-accident convalescence of the Hon. Winston S. Churchill necessitates the use of alcoholic spirits especially at meal times."

Widespread use medical permissions made a mockery of prohibition.
We do, I think, need to take care how we use our freedoms and how we curtail the freedoms of others. I know I find the idea of grace more compelling than compulsion of law. I understand that we need both.

St Paul says, “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows”

Heavenly Father,
We take our freedoms for granted.
We do not pause often to consider the unintended consequences of our word or deeds.
Teach us how to use the freedom you have given wisely and graciously

Amen