Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Official Report 883KB pdf

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Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is the Right Rev Christine Sime, Minister at Dalgety Parish Church.

This week there are debating chambers and governing bodies meeting at each end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, yet their work is not miles apart. Each of them is making policies that change life for the better, leave folk in their difficulties, or add burdens to people already hauden doon, without lifting a finger to help.

Each one of us is given the privilege and responsibility to look after people from all walks of life, to be a place of hope for now and for the future. Today’s World Mission Council report recalled David Livingstone’s theology that every person of every nation is equal in the eyes of God who made them. He described slavery, which deemed one to be better than another, as

“an open sore on the face of Africa”.

Most now see the error of past ways regarding slavery, apartheid, gender and sexuality. Those divisions really should no longer exist. More healing is still required. There are pains that run deep, when people are told that they are not good or not as good as others, or when rich-world Governments refuse to pass laws that would allow the hungry to be fed.

That is not the way of the gospel; nor should it be the way of ecclesiastical or national governance. Rather, we in church and nation are called to stand with the marginalised, seeing needs, hearing cries for help, bringing justice, being the voice of the voiceless, being fair and treating all people exactly the same. It is the presence of justice and compassion that proves any Government’s worth, and the decisions it makes that bring dignity and equality and shout loud and clear that every life is precious that brings honour.

That is Jesus’ radical gospel of love. He calls us to the margins, to take risks, face challenges, use opportunities and be out there on the slippery slope with those who are struggling to hold on, rather than holding on to the power that we have ourselves.

On Sunday, the Church of Scotland celebrated her faith at “Heart and Soul” in Princes Street gardens. We also celebrated Pentecost, which is receiving God’s spirit in a new way, fresh and invigorating, stirring us out of complacency to be the people of his radical, wonderful and inclusive gospel. May that spirit of hope stir us and lead us all, wherever we may be.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus, bless this Parliament with wisdom and compassion; with care in speech and action. Bless each one with mercy and humility; may your peace, justice and love prevail.

Amen.