Plenary, 10 Nov 1999
Meeting date: Wednesday, November 10, 1999
Official Report
594KB pdf
Time for Reflection
The Most Reverend Keith Patrick O'Brien (Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh):
My dear sisters and brothers, may we all seek to serve the people of Scotland with love and integrity.
We place ourselves in the presence of God as we commend our activities to our creator.
God be in my head and in my understanding, God be in mine eyes and in my looking, God be in my mouth and in my speaking, God be in my heart and in my thinking, God be at mine end and at my departing.
The God who fills our lives speaks through his word. Let us listen to that word.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment, love one another as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.
For us, the laying down of our lives is not the extraordinary act of martyrdom but the daily forgetfulness of ourselves and our own desires to be of service to our sisters and brothers throughout this our land.
That we may be faithful to our commitment of service, let us pray.
Father in heaven, source of all life and goodness, we thank you for this land of ours, which we are privileged to serve. As it is entrusted to our care, teach us to cherish it and all that it contains. Make us sensitive to the needs of its peoples, make us tolerant of each other's differences, make us merciful to those who are in need. Help us foster respect for human life, help us to be true to our traditions of education, help us to love one another sincerely. May we always know your presence, may we always dwell in peace, and may we hand on to succeeding generations a land worthy of you. We ask this is the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen
Let us sum up this and all our prayer in the great prayer Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his face and bring you peace. May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.