Wednesday February 24, 2021
Remember Standing Rock? Although Biden scrapped the Keystone XL pipeline, federal authorities took indigenous water protector Steve Martinez into custody because he has refused to testify before a grand jury, ostensibly on the injuries caused to Sophia Wilansky during the action in 2016. At that time the FBI took her shrapnel damaged clothing from her while she was in the hospital and has not returned it to her.
Now, a little more than four years later, we as a Nation need to repent of our treatment of Native Americans and their sacred sites, no less sacred than our churches, mosques, and synagogues. Listening to the confirmation hearings for Deb Haaland yesterday was disconcerting because it was clear that certain Senators were out to try to gut her support for tribal interests in protecting the environment, not to mention the wildlife.
As a people we have much to repent: destruction of the environment, our neglect of the spiritual traditions of Native Americans that are so intertwined with nature. The bear, the wolf, and the buffalo were all sacred to Native Americans and they should be the same to us, part of God’s creation.
Prayer for the Day
Rising in the East, looking like it’s only for us,
The sun reminds us that we are not the center of the universe;
Spinning in space, our earth is smaller than we imagined,
As we see the vast expanse of your creation.
May we remember who we are and through your grace
Touch the earth lightly with gentleness and care.
In the name of him who walked among the lilies,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
After the final no there comes a yes,
And on that yes the future world depends.
- Wallace Stevens, “After the Final No,” American poet (1879-1955)
Columbus only discovered he was in some new place. He didn’t discover America.
- Louise Erdrich, Minnesota Chippewa, American novelist
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all God’s work is done in faithfulness.
God loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And all their host by the breath of God’s mouth.
Psalm 4-6