Repentance and Reconciliation

Looking back at my last few posts, I realized that while I was quick to write about #metoo and gun violence, I was reticent to talk about concerns much closer to me. I have not yet acknowledged injustices towards Canada's indigenous community or the murders of gay men in Toronto, both of which have filled our news.

Perhaps this is because these do hit so much closer to home and also because these can be such emotionally charged and divisive issues here in Canada and the church. However, they are no less important and need to be talked about despite the discomfort. The Truth and Reconciliation process with Canada's First Nations and now the missing and murdered indigenous women inquiry are incredibly important. Beyond repenting of the church's role in the residential school system, reconciliation is going to take years, perhaps even a lifetime. It is work that is necessary and very important to our health as a nation.

Reconciling with the LGBTQ2 community is for some far more challenging to consider. Regardless of your beliefs about non-heterosexual identities, we can't deny that those in the community have suffered in a variety of ways. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada recently wrote a letter apologizing for the way the church has been slow to listen, to seek to understand and to welcome those who are LGBTQ2. Some probably felt this was a long time coming (and it was, mandated by a General Assembly many years ago) and some probably felt it was too soon.

Lent is a season to repent, to turn back and follow Jesus more closely. There are many things that we and the church need to repent of and Lent offers a great chance for this. How do we turn back with these big issues facing us and the pain and suffering that continues? Consider the following:

1) Be informed - Learn more about those different from yourself from reliable sources. Far too many social media posts are knee-jerk responses to issues and not necessarily factual. Clear away the clutter to get to the heart of what is happening and why. Read well-written history.

2) Listen - Try to find someone directly affected by these issues. I have a few gay people in my life who have helped me to understand what their community faces. I could make a better effort to connect to someone who is indigenous to Canada. Be ready to hear someone else's story and to try to walk a mile in their shoes.

3) Share what you find with your faith community and, as appropriate, your learners. Stories of those in our community and country in pain need to be told. Being the body of Christ, we are called to exemplify Jesus' ways, including accepting people as they are and offering them welcome, care and concern. 

4) Find a concrete way to express care for those who are hurting. This could mean twinning with a First Nations community and writing letters and/or collecting donations of needed supplies, advocating for human rights, praying regularly for healing and hope for all who suffer, or making posters about how all people are loved by God. Brainstorm creative ideas that fit your faith community and context.

5) Not everyone will agree with whatever approach you take. As you try to discern what God is asking of you and your faith community in terms of repentance, model respect and a willingness to listen to those who are challenged by you. Your openness to them will perhaps enable them to listen to you and understand you better.

There are no easy answers to the very real pain being experienced by our First Nations and LGBTQ2 communities. But it is time to do what we can, to model God's love and to better understand these brothers and sisters in our communities and our pews. 

May God help us to show the mercy and grace that has been showered on us.