Alexi

I’m writing this on Good Friday

There is a YouTube series called ‘Letters Live’. In this series, Benedict Cumberbatch reads one of Alexei Navalny’s final letters dated 17th of January 2024.

Alexei died in what might be called ‘puzzling circumstances’ and that is me pouring a fair amount of chocolate sauce on it. His opposition to one of the world leaders and his ardent desire to offer an alternative are well documented.

His letter is strongly worded and articulate. With him speaking ‘from the other side of the grave’ his words are both humbling and foreboding.

In his letter, Alexei speaks candidly about his interviews with the prison staff who ask him ‘Why did you come back? You must have some secret deal, some arrangement that has not come to fruition yet.’

But Alexei… says “No ..there is no such plot. I have my country and my convictions” and goes on to spell out his love of country with the passion of his convictions. This is why he has returned.

There is a very challenging line where Alexei simply says ‘That if you do not act on your convictions then you have no convictions at all’.

This is inspiring and sets the bar dizzyingly high. When I look in the mirror and ask myself the inevitable searing questions…

I’m writing this on Good Friday. A day that means different things to different people and we fill this day up according to our convictions.

For many, it's a day when we recall and enter into the mystery of The Master who lived His convictions and so found himself dying a premature death at the hands of others. A bit like Alexei, who acted on His convictions and… Would I, could I? Do I have any convictions?

I’m writing this on Good Friday.