Time for Reflection
To lead our time for reflection, we welcome Rev Shelley Marsh of the Scottish Episcopal Churches in Renfrewshire.
Rev Shelley Marsh (Priest in Charge, St John's Church, Johnstone and St Margaret's Church, Renfrew, Scottish Episcopal Churches):
Thank you, Sir David, and thank you, everyone, for the warm welcome that I have received, which really fits in with what I want to say.
During a recent course in my two small churches, a number of us were reflecting on those who receive a welcome into our church and, more important, on those who may not. To help us to be realistic and honest, we worked through a list of more than 50 different types of people, from the obvious to the not so obvious.
It is easy to hide from the truth about ourselves, and the exercise raised our awareness of our hidden prejudices against and discomfort with some people and of our fear and lack of understanding of others. As we became more aware of our inability genuinely to welcome so many from within our community who need, or are looking for, a place of welcome, we became increasingly uncomfortable. We are all human and as such we are imperfect. We can only hope and pray that, by raising awareness, change will come about.
The gospels are a challenge to any who choose to hear them. In Luke, chapter 6, verse 32, Jesus says:
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?"
Ouch! God challenges us to move beyond those we are comfortable with and to look with the eyes of love upon every human being. Everyone is a part of God's creation. We should not be naive. Love can be tough when it has to be, but we need to be open and to show in practical ways that our love is genuine.
Love in this context is not about warm feelings; it is about putting care into action, about commitment, and about perseverance, even in adversity. Love like that brings healing. A lack of love can leave people broken, but committed love begins to create the kind of atmosphere that enables personal growth, even through the vagaries of life which, for many, is tough.
In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 7, the indomitable Paul says of love:
"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Those are some of the ideals of love that many aspire to. We who trust in a being who is love—love beyond our comprehension—reach out to draw strength and power from that limitless source of perfect love, so that we may become more able to love for the good of others, as well as ourselves.
In many of our churches, throughout our country, we pray every week for all of you in this chamber. We pray for you in your work of governing, your deliberations, your judgments and your decisions, which affect the lives of so many. We pray, and in our prayers we believe that we tap into the source of all love, and that that love resources you and our country. Being human, we are frail and liable to make mistakes, even with powerful resources. Perfection in this life is beyond us, but by recognising our mistakes, growing through them, and recognising the love that encourages us always, we can begin again, and again, and again, as often as necessary.
I close with a sentence of prayer.
Fill us, Lord God, with the light of your love for the work we do, day by day. We ask it in Jesus' name.
Amen.