The past cannot be “ fixed” but we can listen to one another, own what has been done and walk beside one another into a different future.
This is Canada day and most places across our country are taking a little different approach this year. We are invited to use this as a day of reflection. A time to think about a history that is not so nice. Settlers came to this land, made treaties with the First Peoples, and then proceeded to betray those treaties.
Recent unearthing of unmarked graves has highlighted the damage that has been done and the pain and grief inflicted because we could not live in harmony. The past cannot be “ fixed” but we can listen to one another, own what has been done and walk beside one another into a different future.
Emily Kierstead, shared this on Monday of this week. With her permission I offer it to you now for reflection.
Too Much Sorrow
by Emily Kierstead
The sighs of the soul
are the tears of our time.
Knowledge cannot be
erased
nor deeds
undone.
What our eyes behold
and our ears can hear;
we are reluctant to
understand.
We attempt to deny
but the truth is there,
a day of reckoning
is now upon
us.
Let us be conscious
of our history’s horror:
too many children lost
but now found-
in graves.
Where were we when
this took place?
Where is it
happening now?
With what species or
race?
We must all own
a clarity of eyesight;
Today and
tomorrow;
much too much
sorrow.
Reality points a finger;
It is I, it is
you.
Our leaders and we
have much
to do.
Can we be part of the
life-giving action
that is an “essential need?”
No more senseless apathy
or blind, selfish
greed.
All lives are
precious,
each child is pure
gold.
History’s horror
has yet to
be told.
Let us join hands, and travel
together
A new way of seeing,
a new way of
being.
Exquisite caring for
each.
What other
option
would you
suggest?
As Followers of Jesus
As followers of Jesus we are called to be light and love in the world. Too much has been done to desecrate this call and to bring harm instead of health; darkness instead of light; and sorrow instead of joy. We must reclaim the true meaning of the gospel, seek forgiveness for the wrong we have done and enter into a new day and a better way.
May it be so
Blessings
Valerie