OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Today, December 12, gives us an opportunity to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of the Americas, and improve the relationships between each of us and other peoples on this continent. Today we also observe the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples.
Something quite miraculous happened in the middle of rural Mexico hundreds of years ago. A man named Juan Diego saw an apparition of a woman now known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. She gave a message for Juan to take to the Bishop. The Bishop asked for a sign to prove what Juan was saying was true. The sign was given in two forms: first, in out-of-season roses – such beautiful and fragrant flowers! But that was not all. After the roses, an image of this woman appeared inside Juan’s cloak. Because of these miraculous signs, the Bishop believed what Juan had seen and heard. Subsequently, many people in Mexico were converted and became believers in the hope of salvation.
In 2002, National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples was established on this same day. One may wonder what that means: to pray in solidarity. Especially since the relationships between many Canadians and the Indigenous peoples have been challenged since the news about residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and increasing awareness of the injustices many First Nations, Metis and Inuit people face every day with water, land, hunting and fishing rights, and incarceration rates. There are so many things to pray for….
I recently read a book by Nigaan Sinclair entitled Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre. It is a collection of articles written for the Winnipeg paper. At one point I discovered that Nigaan is the son of Senator Murray Sinclair and within that week, we learned that Murray Sinclair had died. Watching the memorial service was very moving. There were many speakers, musicians, friends, family, chiefs and politicians all sharing their perspectives on their memories and the legacy of Senator Sinclair. The Truth and Reconciliation commission work led by Sinclair, all the stories, the education that have come about because of that work, are part of the legacy of this Indigenous man.
Sinclair’s work is a powerful example of being in solidarity with Indigenous peoples. His work was about building relationships and, in his words, “to love people, even if they don’t love you.”
Sinclair was raised Catholic and according to one story, disappointed his grandmother when he did not become a priest. But it is clear that his life as a lawyer and judge was a living example of the values of followers of Christ: loving your neighbour, offering forgiveness, cherishing children, inspiring youth, doing the right thing in difficult situations, addressing injustices, and carrying on even when you are tired or discouraged.
I have been inspired by reading about the Senator as well as the perspective of his son Nigaan. Sinclair’s legacy has been a blessing to me and this blessing continues when I read his son’s writing. Nigaan spoke about his father’s message and reminded us that further change and reconciliation rests with me and with you. Believing is the first step to making it happen. Can we believe that reconciliation will happen? If so, we can find our courage, get up and take action. We can “stay in the room together” with other peoples in our communities and across this land. We can increase our awareness of our common values and spiritual expressions and build on those, always loving as we go.
Creator God,
We thank you for the gifts you have heaped upon us:
this land we live upon, faithful leaders and their legacies, the gifts of mothers, fathers and children, and youth growing into leaders and parents.
We express our deep sorrow for the many Indigenous voices that have been lost in the Americas over the centuries of settler-induced trauma and suffering.
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
be with us as we continue to learn and grow.
Help us to be instruments of love and peace to our sisters and brothers and to build connections day by day.
Holy Spirit,
send us your gifts, especially wisdom and courage, as we continue on the path of truth and reconciliation all across the Americas.
Amen.
Jeanne Lambert combines her experiences as a parish and community nurse and her music ministry, and she continues to find ways to include music in pastoral care and community hospice work. Jeanne has many diverse writings and presentations to her credit on family life, grief, wholistic health care and spiritual reflection.
