Nov. 8th Prayer

When:
November 8, 2022 all day
2022-11-08T00:00:00-05:00
2022-11-09T00:00:00-05:00

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Today is Indigenous Veterans Day.  The federal government established National Aboriginal Veterans Day on Nov. 8, 1994, to honour the thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who served in the world wars, the Korean War and later conflicts. This day is marked by remembering  Indigenous soldiers killed or wounded in war.  This day also acknowledges that veterans’ benefits and rights were unevenly distributed to the survivors, and highlights the importance of working to undo this injustice. Today we pray for Indigenous people who served to protect Canada.

God of love and justice,
Today we remember Indigenous people who died or were wounded in defence of this country and its freedom.
Help us to honour these  sacrifices through prayers and actions for peace in the world.
Send your Spirit to eliminate misunderstandings, hatred, and prejudice so that we may grow together as one family.
Guide our steps in the way of peace, truth  and reconciliation
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Today we also acknowledge Day 2 of Treaties Recognition Week, and reflect on the ways that Stories Define Who We Are.
The tradition of storytelling is very powerful in Indigenous culture.  Consider these  words from Larry Hill:

Our stories were us.  What we knew, where we came from, and where we were going.  They were to remind us of our responsibilities, to instruct, and to entertain.  There were stories of Creation, our travels, our laws.  There were many legends of hard fought battles, funny stories – some from the smokehouse, some from the trickster – and there were scary stories to remind us of danger, spiritual and otherwise.  Stories were our way of life and they still are.

Stories help to shape the identity of communities.  This is also illustrated in Gospel stories, which teach messages about the life and ministry of Jesus.  Let us reflect upon the many stories that remind us of the love that God has for us as we pray the Treaty Week Prayer today.

Let us remember that Indigenous peoples gently walked this land,
Let us remember that Treaties are promises.
Let us respect those promises. Let us remember all of the promises in our lives.
Let us remember that bullying causes pain and hurt.
Let us remember to be kind to everyone.
Let us remember to stick up for someone who is being bullied.
Let us remember to treat others the way we want to be treated.
Let us remember to love our neighbours.
Amen
.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.