Kevin Bryant, a sergeant with the Harvard University Police Department, spoke at Memorial Church’s Morning Prayers service on One Boston Day. Bryant urged the congregation to “walk in the light” and choose hope over fear.

Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

Campus & Community

A call to walk in the light

2 min read

Marathon bombing remembered in Morning Prayers; minister urges community to choose hope

In Harvard’s Appleton Chapel this morning, Kevin Bryant, a sergeant with the Harvard University Police Department and an affiliated minister at the Memorial Church, called for people to rise above worry and fear, and walk in the light.

During Morning Prayers, Bryant recalled the Boston Marathon bombings three years ago today. He also spoke of the terrorist attacks on Paris and Brussels, which left many of us “consumed by fear and worry” as we go through our daily lives.

Kevin Bryant — April 15, 2016 | Morning Prayers


Morning Prayers service with speaker Sargent Kevin P. Bryant, Harvard University Police, Security Services Coordinator & Diversity/Community Liaison on Friday, April 15, 2016.

Yet Bryant was also quick to emphasize that there are more good people than bad in the world.

“We forget to enjoy our time with family and friends,” he said. “But the good people of the world walk in the light, because light always overcomes the darkness.”

Bryant said “the light had many names,” such as Allah, Jehovah, the Great Mother, Vishnu, and Jesus Christ. “These are just a few of the names of people who walk in the light,” he said.

Bryant also reminded the congregation to lean on their faith in times of trouble.

“Ask God to order your steps so your can walk in faith,” he said. “You are a child of God, a place where the spirit of God lives. Remember who you are: You are a vessel of God’s spirit. Remember that the Holy Spirit lives in you.”

Bryant’s address was part of One Boston Day, an event created by Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh to celebrate the resiliency, generosity, and strength of the people of Boston and those around the world in response to the Boston Marathon tragedy of April 15, 2013. The event asks the institutions and people of Boston to perform random acts of kindness or plan events to remember that day.