Plenary, 15 Jan 2003
Meeting date: Wednesday, January 15, 2003
Official Report
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Time for Reflection
To lead our time for reflection this afternoon, we welcome Sister Marie O'Dea, the project leader of the Wayside day centre for homeless people in Glasgow.
Sister Marie O'Dea (Wayside Day Centre for Homeless People):
Good afternoon. I thank you for inviting me to share this time with you. The inspiration for my reflection comes from my time working with homeless people in London and Glasgow.
Homeless, disillusioned, bereft of contact with family and friends and struggling with his dependence on alcohol, Jim was at his lowest ebb when he observed a child being chased by a dog. She was running towards him with her arms outstretched. Momentarily disregarding the consequences of his actions and what he may have been accused of, Jim took her in his arms and comforted her until the child's mother arrived to shake his hand and thank him for his efforts, saying, "I hope things will improve for you." The little girl smiled and waved at Jim. At that moment he knew that life would get better for him because somebody had believed in him and trusted him. Jim's life changed. He sought help for his drink problem, got accommodation and eventually returned to work.
Some of us here may have had experiences of people who have touched our lives and helped us to realise our self-worth and value as human beings. Over the years, I have been privileged to meet a number of homeless people who, despite their circumstances, have inspired and challenged me with their courage and thoughtfulness. Down through the ages, people from all walks of life have inspired and challenged others by their way of life. In Scotland, we have had people such as St Margaret and St Mungo. Further afield and in more recent times we have had Catherine McAuley, Martin Luther King and Oscar Romero.
Recently, we celebrated the birth of Christ. Those of us who are familiar with the scriptures know how he touched the lives of those with whom he came in contact—the woman at the well, the woman who had committed adultery and the soldier who watched him dying on the cross. That same God continues to touch people's lives today through each of us. We are his instruments and, if we allow him, he can do great things through us. I pray that the Scottish Parliament's deliberations will be inspired by God's love for his people, especially the marginalised in our society.
God of passionate life, fill us with your radiance, enkindle us with your love and touch us with your goodness. May the truth that we seek and accept shine through all that we are and do.
Amen.