July 6

Today marks the death, in 1813, of Granville Sharp, one of the earliest abolitionists in Great Britain and a Biblical scholar. He was driven by a desire to see a society based on equality. While he saw several legal victories moving toward the abolition of slavery, he would die before slavery was abolished in the British Empire. 

Today also marks the martyrdom of Jan Hus, in 1415, a Czech priest and a forerunner of the Protestant Reformation. He spoke out against abuses in the Roman Catholic Church, including the Crusades and the selling of indulgences, for which he was charged with heresy and burned at the stake. His death would kick off a war between Hussites and Roman Catholic leaders. 

Again illustrating that both Protestants and Catholics have been similarly intolerant when they held political power, today is also the day that Thomas Aufield, a Roman Catholic priest, was martyred by hanging in 1585 in England at the hands of Protestants.  

Reflection: 

Among Jan Hus’s final words were these: 

Prayer: God, place within all people such a love for life and for justice that they can never kill anyone in your name. Amen.