Time for Reflection

– in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 10 November 2004.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Murray Tosh Murray Tosh Conservative 2:30, 10 November 2004

Good afternoon. The first item this afternoon is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is the Rev Father David Trainer of St Columba of Iona Roman Catholic Church in Glasgow.

The Rev Father David Trainer (St Columba of Iona Roman Catholic Church, Glasgow):

Six months ago, I was sitting at my desk in Maryhill in Glasgow when there was a huge explosion as the neighbouring Stockline Plastics factory was reduced to a pile of rubble. In the aftermath, I found myself in our community central halls with other volunteers, sitting with the families who were waiting to hear about their loved ones. For three long and agonising days and nights, I had time to reflect on the situation, on my own feelings, on my own faith and on the heroism and dedication that I witnessed with pride.

As I observed the emergency services, I was reminded of Jesus's famous story about a Samaritan—a despised foreigner—who stopped at the side of the road to help a man who had been beaten and robbed. According to Jesus, the act of that Samaritan was the real neighbourly love that merits eternal life.

I was also aware of our politicians. Our own MSP, Patricia Ferguson, with her usual sensitivity and drive, was in and out of the halls at all hours of the day and night, ensuring that the families and volunteers got all the help that they needed. Other politicians came in, some whose faces I knew only from the television. I watched them: they came in discreetly, gently and silently offering their solidarity. I remember thinking at the time that politicians are, in a special way, Samaritans.

My late father, Patrick Trainer, was a politician all his days. He worked as a councillor until he was forced to retire at the age of 80. As a family, we were continually aware of his being at the beck and call of so many people, all day and every day. Like the Samaritan, he dedicated his life to attending to the needs of others—that was his life and that was his calling. He loved it and we respected him for it.

Too often, we take our politicians for granted. Without you, we have no democracy. We need your integrity, your hard work and your passion for the truth. You are expected to be the Samaritans.

I will end with a prayer that was written by the great Robert Louis Stevenson. While he was travelling with a small donkey across the Cévennes mountains of France, he jotted down this prayer in the small notebook that he carried in his pocket. I thought that it would perhaps be a fitting prayer for us here in our new Parliament building, as we journey into our new tomorrow and our new future.

O God who givest us day by day the support of thy kindly countenance and hopeful spirit among the manifold temptations and adventures of this life, keep us upright and humble, and, O thou who equally guidest all mankind through sun and rain, give us thy spirit of great mercy.

Amen.