A response to Marcus Rashford.

I solemnly promised that after last week, I would no longer write about the football. However, the news is now all about the (racist) abuse being directed at the three English players who failed to score with their penalties. One of these, Marcus Rashford has released a statement, apologising for his missed penalty, but refusing to apologise for who he is; a black Englishman. I offer the following, from the Church of England daily office by way of support. Psalm 133 is a celebration of unity written by the ancient Hebrews perhaps 3000 years ago; “Aaron” in the psalm was the brother of Moses and chosen to be the first chief priest of the nation of Israel. Hermon is a high mountain to the north of ancient Israel; the writer of the psalm imagines water from this flowing all the way to Jerusalem (Zion in the psalm), fertilising the land. This poetic vision of unity and prosperity would have been sung for centuries in a land where there was neither unity nor prosperity; the prayer below is a contemporary response that we can use in a land where black English footballers are abused for the colour of their skins.

Psalm 133 

Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity.

It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard,

Even on Aaron’s beard, running down upon the collar of his clothing.

It is like the dew of Hermon running down upon the hills of Zion.

For there the Lord has promised his blessing: even life for evermore.

Mercy and truth are met together,
righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 

Grant to your people, good Lord,
the spirit of unity,
that they may dwell together in your love,
and so bear to the world
the ointment of your healing and the
dew of your blessing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.