St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

Midweek Devotion 6th April 2023

Led by Rev Sigrid Marten

Welcome to our Midweek Devotion from St. Giles Cathedral, the High Kirk of Edinburgh, on Thursday, 6th April. During Holy Week we make time to reflect on the story of the Passion of Christ, Jesus’ way to the Cross.

The apostle Paul says to his friends in Philippi,

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

(Philippians 2:1&2)

Our lesson today is written in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 26 (verses 6-13).

Reflection

It would be easy to think that the world we live in today is very different from the times of Jesus. But I sometimes wonder whether human nature has actually changed that much?

We may think that it is a sign of our times that in today’s profit-oriented society the lives of individuals do not seem to count for much: so often the suffering of ordinary people is ignored, and their preciousness as unique children of God forgotten. At the beginning of the Covid pandemic there was a strong sense that the lives of so many people living in care homes and residential settings did not matter enough to policy makers to ensure that they were safe. And yet, it was exactly during those months that we learnt again how precious all people are: every moment that we managed to have with our loved ones became invaluable. May we hold on to that awareness that we need to cherish all God’s children, that no one should ever be reduced to a number or a callous label.

Today’s reading from the gospel of Matthew could act as a reminder that people have been capable of unkindness and thoughtlessness from the beginning, and of not appreciating the value of acts of generosity and love. The disciples are accusing the woman with the alabaster jar of wastefulness, not realising that she is performing an act of extravagant love which can never be measured in statistics of efficiency.

There is a time for strategic thinking about how best to use resources, and there is a time when we need to see the individuals who are affected by our decision-making. It is important that we hold on to our humanity by honouring those among us who are most vulnerable.

In her book ‘Sharing the Darkness’, Dr Sheila Cassidy, an English doctor who is known for her work in the hospice movement, quotes a poem by Sidney Carter, which speaks of those times when we should not count the cost, but tend to the person in front of us who is a beloved child of God. The poem is called ‘Mother Teresa’:

No revolution will come in time
to alter this man's life
except the one
surprise of being loved.

It is too late to talk of Civil Rights,
neo-Marxism
psychiatry
or any kind of sex.

He has only twelve more hours to live.
Forget about
a cure for cancer, smoking, leprosy
or osteo-arthritis.

Over this dead loss to society
you pour your precious ointment,
wash the feet
that will not walk tomorrow.

Mother Teresa, Mary Magdalene,
your love is dangerous, your levity
would contradict
our local gravity.

But if love cannot do it, then I see
no future for this dying man or me.
So blow the world to glory,
crack the clock. Let love be dangerous.

Prayer

Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world,

in this Holy Week we reflect

on your life and death and resurrection,

on the love of God that we can know

because of your sacrificial love.

We also remember the extravagant act of love

which the woman with the alabaster jar

offered to you

at the beginning of your time of suffering,

your Passion.

Gracious God,

we give you thanks for the many people

who give of their time, their talents,

their attention and loving care

to those around them:

for unpaid carers at home,

family members, friends, volunteers,

for nurses, care workers, doctors.

We thank you for all who offer of themselves,

and so often don’t count the cost,

when they encounter someone in need.

Teach us again how to be of the same mind as you,

how to share the love we know in you,

how to reach out to one another

and celebrate our common humanity.

All our prayers we gather into 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 the God of hope

clothe us in compassion

and enfold us in God’s love.

And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the community of the Holy Spirit

be with us all.

Amen

Organ Music

J.N.Hanff Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott