Plenary, 01 Nov 2000

Meeting date: Wednesday, November 1, 2000

Official Report 374KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. As members know, this term we have invited people who have connections to the political parties to lead our time for reflection. Today we welcome the Reverend David Miller, the former general secretary of the Scottish Liberal Party and current chaplain of Saughton prison.

Here's tae us—wha's like us? Damned few and they're a deid.

In the Christian tradition, today—1 November—is all saints' day. For at least 1,500 years, on this day Christians have honoured all those who have kept the faith. At different times, the "saints" who were thus honoured have come from different categories: founding fathers; martyrs; leaders and notables of the recent past; and those close to and loved by individuals. Perhaps because of our need to honour the great faithful ones, and also to remember with thanks our own loved ones who have died, the Church evolved two days on which to remember the saints: all saints' day for the great ones; and all souls' day—tomorrow—for the rest.

In olden times, fast and vigil would be observed during the evening before all saints' day—hallowe'en. Just how a reflective vigil of preparation was transformed into a kids' party with swinging pumpkin lanterns, trick or treaters, apple dooking, and spooks and skeletons is a mystery to me, but for many the hallowe'en party is the beginning and the end of remembering the saints.

A favourite passage of scripture for all saints' day comes from the letter to the Hebrews:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses . . . let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."

The writer pictures an athletic stadium filled to capacity with those who have kept the faith, cheering us on—we, who in our turn, are on the track in the race, surrounded by a great "cloud of witnesses"—television cameras, journalists, commentators, lobbyists, pressure groups, constituents and critics. The pressures on anybody in public service increase day by day as the information revolution rolls on. Above the critical chorus it must be hard to hear the supporters' cheers.

One line in the ancient creed of the Church states:

"I believe in . . . the communion of saints."

The picture here is not of an athletic stadium that is filled with supporters, but of a neighbourhood—a community and an extended family of all those who have kept the faith supporting one another. It is of a generous and inclusive community of all those who have persevered in the race that is marked out for them. Today—all saints' day—we honour the faithful and we are reminded that we are kept company by them.

Here's tae us—wha's like us? Damned few and they're a deid. But listen—they are cheering us on.

Let us pray.

Lord of Life, guide those who direct the governance of Scotland. Sustain them in their work, support them in their anxieties, strengthen them in their commitment to seek the well-being of all the people. Give them joy in their service, pride in their successes and the approval of a good conscience in all their endeavours. May our community be renewed in beauty, happiness and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

As members will be aware, this afternoon we will debate motions on the appointment of ministers and junior ministers. Before we do so, I inform members that I received a letter this morning from the First Minister advising me that John Home Robertson, Frank McAveety and Iain Smith have today demitted office from the ministerial team.