Pentecost – Spirit of Breath

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In John’s Gospel (20:22) the Holy Spirit is given through breathing.  On Monday, May 25 the spirit of George Floyd left him when he could not breathe because of the knee of a police officer on his neck.  We included the following last words of Floyd as part of our Pentecost Liturgy, with thanks to Avaaz Network (www.avaaz@avaaz.org).  Avaaz means “voice” or “song” in many languages.

"It's my face man
I didn't do nothing serious man
please
please
please I can't breathe
please man
please somebody
please man
I can't breathe
I can't breathe
please
(inaudible)
man can't breathe, my face
just get up
I can't breathe
please (inaudible)
I can't breathe sh*t
I will
I can't move
mama
mama
I can't
my knee
my nuts
I'm through
I'm through
I'm claustrophobic
my stomach hurt
my neck hurts
everything hurts
some water or something
please
please
I can't breathe officer
don't kill me
they gon' kill me man
come on man
I cannot breathe
I cannot breathe
they gon' kill me
they gon' kill me
I can't breathe
I can't breathe
please sir
please
please
please I can't breathe"
Then his eyes shut and the pleas stop. George Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after.





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