Psalm 90 (National Aboriginal Day of Prayer)
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands—
O prosper the work of our hands! [Psalm 90:15-17, NRSV]Today we mark the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer. I am not an expert on Aboriginal traditions or issues, but I have had the chance to visit the Six Nations Reserve on two occasions, including the site of the residential school. I have been warmly welcomed by parishioners at the reservation's Anglican churches, and by their priest, Father Norm Casey.
As our Marks of Mission call us to respond to human need and to transform unjust structures, I am going to try to make a more deliberate effort in becoming more aware of issues that affect Aboriginal communities, and also to learn about Aboriginal contributions to our Church. A good starting point, if you too are interested, is on the New Agape section of the Anglican Church of Canada's website.
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| Norval Morrisseau [http://www.morrisseau.com/viewPhoto.php?fileID=1501] |
The website highlights some National Film Board videos that might be of interest, such as Seventh Fire and Kuper Island: Return to the Healing Circle. A number of other videos are available for your perusal on the NFB Aboriginal Peoples channel.
Creator God,
from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name.
You have rooted and grounded us
in your covenant love,
and empowered us by your Spirit
to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people,
journeying together in partnership,
may be strengthened and guided
to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ,
who is our light and our life. Amen
from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name.
You have rooted and grounded us
in your covenant love,
and empowered us by your Spirit
to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people,
journeying together in partnership,
may be strengthened and guided
to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ,
who is our light and our life. Amen
- Matthew Kieswetter
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