St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

Midweek Devotion 17th November 2022

Led by Rev Sigrid Marten

Welcome to our Midweek Devotion on Thursday the 17th of November.

The Psalmist invites us all,

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.”

(Psalm 100:1,5)

Our lesson today is written in the gospel of John, chapter 4 (verses 19 - 24).

Reflection

The week of 13 – 20 November is marked by many in Scotland as Interfaith Week. This is a time to celebrate all the religious traditions that are at home in Scotland, and to bring people together to encourage dialogue, understanding and co-operation between Scotland’s diverse religious communities and cultures.

During this week the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will be visiting different faith communities, and many local events are planned around the country.

To tie in with Scotland’s Year of Storytelling, this year’s theme of Interfaith Week is Storytelling, for it is through listening to people’s stories that we can step into each other’s worlds for a moment – sometimes with the help of a poem, a song or a photograph. Stories enable us to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and start important conversations.

And so I want to offer a story of my own.

Early on in my ministry in Glasgow I was called to hospital one snowy evening just before Christmas because a member of our congregation had had a serious accident, and her family lived too far away to be by her side quickly. Due to the weather and time of day I decided to call a taxi, which arrived promptly.

My driver was a man from the Muslim community, and he noticed my dog collar right away. After I had explained why I was going to the hospital, we started sharing stories on how religious people are perceived in today’s Scotland, and how our faith affected our daily living. This invariably also touched on the prejudice which many Muslims experience in this country.

When we arrived at the hospital and I pulled out my purse to pay for the journey, the driver turned around and said, “There is no charge. I do not want to take your money, for you are doing God’s work.”

Prayer

Living God, Maker and Redeemer of all life,

we give you thanks for the great diversity

which you have created in this world,

in the wonders of nature and among your children,

each and all cherished and precious in your eyes.

We thank you for our neighbours near and far

who share their own stories with us,

and together with ours

weave them into the story of our communities.

Gracious God, we confess

that we are not good stewards of your creation.

In our carelessness and greed

we lose hundreds of species every year,

diminishing the chances of survival for all.

We confess that we do not always

behave as good sisters and brothers to each other.

So often we do not celebrate human diversity,

we resent it and resist it;

we have endless ways

of excluding and belittling each other,

of arguing over who is superior,

who owns the truth.

God of Spirit and of Truth,

forgive us our hard-heartedness and lack of care,

we pray.

Show us how to live together as your children,

who celebrate the uniqueness of every human being,

and respect the different traditions

which seek to live in a godly way;

searching together for truth,

and learning with each other

how to live in peace

and to share in the care of your creation.

We bring you our prayers

for all who are going through a dark time just now:

for those who are lonely or sad,

those who are unwell, at home or in hospital;

for those who are without a home,

without food, without hope;

for all who are not safe, at home or abroad.

May your light and warmth

reach into their darkness

and may your peace touch their hearts.

All our prayers we sum up in the words

that Jesus taught us to pray together:

Our Father which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

in 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

Blessing

May God who is the ground of hope,

Fill you with all joy and peace

As you lead the life of faith

Until, by the power of the Holy Spirit,

You overflow with hope.

Amen

Organ Music

Henry Purcell Voluntary in G Z720