Denmark, Dirk Willems, and the Words of Claire of Assisi

On May 16, 1792, Denmark decided that t was immoral to participate in the trading of human beings and became the first European country to ban the transportation of slaves from their country.

It is also worth noting that this day marks the martyrdom of Dirk Willems. Willems is one of the most celebrated martyr in the Anabaptist tradition (which includes Mennonites, Brethren, and Amish). He was born in the Netherlands and lived during a tumultuous time in Christendom. He is most famous for escaping from prison and turning around to rescue one of his pursuers, who had fallen through the thin ice of a frozen pond while chasing him. He was burned at the stake on May 16, 1569.

Clare of Assisi, a friend of St. Francis in the twelfth century, said, "Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance! And transform your whole being into the image of the Godhead itself through contemplation!"

Amen, amen!

Claiborne, S., Okoro, E., Wilson-Hartgrove, J. (2010). Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.