Official Report 1017KB pdf
Good afternoon. On this 25th anniversary of time for reflection, our time for reflection leader is Jim Wallace, the Rt Hon Lord Wallace of Tankerness KC.
Presiding Officer, it is a very much appreciated privilege to have been asked to deliver this time for reflection on the 25th anniversary of the first-ever time for reflection, which was given by Scottish churches parliamentary officer the Rev Dr Graham Blount on 27 October 1999.
I am also conscious that today’s plenary session is the first since the death of the former First Minister Alex Salmond. As a contemporary of Alex Salmond in the House of Commons and in this Parliament, and as a respective party leader, I can testify to his formidable skills as a politician and I recognise the service that he gave to his constituents and to Scotland as an MP, MSP and First Minister. My sympathy goes out to Moira and Alex’s family, not least today, as he is laid to rest.
Indeed, it is timely to recall with appreciation the service given by all those who have been elected to this Parliament over the past 25 years and, whatever their politics, the contributions that they have made to their communities and to the common weal.
There is a passage in Mark’s gospel that is etched in my memory and which—hopefully—taught me something about service. The reason why I remember it is that, when I took my confirmation vows over 50 years ago, the minister, referencing my baptismal name, James, referred to the exchange between Jesus and James and his brother John. The brothers James and John asked Jesus whether he would appoint them to sit on his left hand and on his right hand when he came in glory. Clearly, they entertained notions of earthly or political grandeur. The other disciples remonstrated with them for getting a bit above themselves, but Jesus did not scold them. Rather, he set out the exacting demands of discipleship.
Jesus continued:
“whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant ... For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
At a time when politics can be so polarising, surely a common commitment to service, whatever our faith or creed, is something that can unite us.
I conclude with some words from Graham Blount’s prayer 25 years ago, which are still apposite today.
“God of grace ... we pray for our Parliament, offering our faith and our vision, that this may be a place where folk can come when they have no one else to turn to, a place of listening and of healing and of hope. We pray for one another, for folk we see as friends, rivals, colleagues and opponents, aware of the pressures and the failings and the possibilities we share.”—[Official Report, 27 October 1999; c 1.]
Amen.
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