The Scottish Referendum has been and gone. The two biggest winners were flag makers and those who want more people to be engaged and involved in our democratic process. I watched a couple of programmes in the lead up to the vote, so that I could understand more about the issues on the table. In truth, like most debates on significant subjects, there was a wide range of opinions and so it was hard to tell who actually had the most accurate grasp of the facts. I found myself wondering what I would have been praying about if I did have the chance to vote in this particular ballot.

Within our congregation, there are a range of political views on most topics I suspect. These views are deeply held. Most folk probably agree on principles, such as ‘fighting for justice’, however it is what we see as justice and how we fight for it which is where the divergence of opinions becomes evident. In one of my previous careers, I was a trained facilitator in consensus building, working with very different groups of people towards a common aim. It used to make me smile as a steady trickle of individuals would come up to me after each meeting and say “All this is important, but ……… is obviously the top priority. “ The …….. was, unsurprisingly the issue or topic that they were the most passionate about. My favourite moment was when I was chairing a meeting and one of the environmental activists cried out in frustration “We are doing all this talking when we really should be out there saving the planet.”

Passionate people change the world. Consensus building means getting the best for as many people as possible, not just agreeing the lowest common denominator. The Reverend Ian Paisley died recently. He had a voice like a cheese grater and his passion for smashing the IRA and preserving Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom could have fuelled several power stations. Yet, for all his powerful rhetoric, he could see the bigger picture and finally came to share political power with those who were previously his arch enemies. Ultimately, he believed in peace more than he believed in war. I wonder what guidance God offered him as he gradually shifted his position and worked with others to build a consensus on the way forward for his beloved country.

I do not know if God is concerned with geographic borders. Scripture tells us that as people of faith we need to reach out to the poor, the hungry, the homeless and others in need. Using the ballot box to make our politicians take notice is one way of showing that we care about these things.

God bless

Cecilia

A while ago I visited family in Australia. Someone gave me a small book as a present called “A Common Prayer – A cartoonist talks to God.” It is written by Michael Leunig, a famous newspaper cartoonist, who decided to offer a weekly cartoon and prayer for the Melbourne ‘Sunday Age’ newspaper. In the introduction to the book he explains “It seemed to me that newspapers might carry some small spiritual message of consolation as a tiny reparation for the enormous anxiety and distress I believe they can create.” Each short prayer is accompanied by the same cartoon character doing something that reflects the theme of the prayer. You may see Leunig’s work and some of the prayers at

http://www.leunig.com.au

After a few weeks not having a reflection book for my quiet time, I browsed my bookshelf and came across this little book and have been dipping into it.

It starts with a prayer for Christmas, giving thanks for the lives of all ‘prophets, teachers, healers and revolutionaries, living and dead, acclaimed or obscure, who have rebelled, worked and suffered for the cause of the love and joy.’ The prayer goes on to celebrate and give thanks for ‘that part within ourselves, which has rebelled, worked and suffered for the cause of love and joy.’ Most of us do not consider ourselves prophets or revolutionaries. Prophet and revolutionary are big words, full of power and danger, struggle and anger. We tend to think of them as words belonging to other people, or other times in history, not in the ordinary everyday of our own lives. Some of us might see ourselves as teachers or healers in the broadest sense, but again, these are roles we are more likely to assign to others than to claim for ourselves.

Leunig’s prayer recognises that we may have a part inside ourselves of each of these roles or characteristics, even though we might not see ourselves in that way. Every time we do or say something that challenges the status quo, we perform a revolutionary act – indeed, living a life of faith is revolutionary. Each time we speak the truth in a situation where it will not be popular, but offers insight and hope, we are being prophetic. When we give time and space to a person, when we really listen to them and acknowledge how they are feeling, we are offering them healing. When we explain something to another and encourage them as they learn something new, we are being a teacher. His week I invite you to notice what you do that brings love and joy into the world. Give thanks and celebrate who you are.

God bless

Cecilia