Thought for the Week - Faith in Action

Like at other times of national crisis, the Orange Order has not been found wanting in the current Covid-19 pandemic. It has sought to do its bit in the effort to bring relief and succour to those in need.

Many lodges have been busy handing out PPE and food parcels to those in their communities who are in need of it most. Hospitals, care homes, the sick and the elderly, regardless of race, religion or politics, have all benefited from the efforts of Orangemen and women the length and breadth of the country. This charitable side of Orangeism is really an outworking of the Christian Faith.

As Orangemen we are encouraged to live out the Christian Faith both by what we say and by what we do. This comes out clearly in the letter of St James. The brother of our Lord writes, “be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (St. James Ch1 vv22-25)

There is no doubt about it, the Covid-19 crisis has put an immense strain on individuals, families, communities, not to mention businesses and nation states. It has been a time of great difficulty and challenge.

Thankfully, many have risen to meet the challenge, not least members of the Orange Institution including the Minister for Health, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Our faith has sustained us through these times of uncertainty and fear. It has spurred us on to do what we can to make a difference in our communities, and this has been recognised and appreciated by many.

As we enter the next phase of the crisis, let us not rest on our laurels, but let us commit ourselves afresh to putting our faith into practice so that people may be helped and God glorified.

By Wor. Bro. Rev. Dr. Stanley Gamble, Grand Chaplain