July 1, 2021 “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1 I love Canada. In 1924 and 1926, while Mackenzie King was Prime Minister , my parents were part of a huge movement of Russia/Ukrainian Mennonites who immigrated as refugees to Western Canada. I won the birth lottery.I love our universal health care. I love our CPP and OAS, although I have not used it yet. We have been on the top of the list for the best country to live in for the last few years. The discoverer of insulin was a Canadian. I am thankful.
But, we have not arrived at perfection. The recent discoveries of Indigenous children in unmarked graves is obscene. Their parents were not informed. The children had been forcibly taken from their parents. The Canadian government tried to assimilate or starve the first Nations communities in the late 1800’s. And they were aided by various denominations to make it happen. The church is guilty. Where is reconciliation, and what does it look like ? Four Muslims runned down and killed by a young man in London. Hate speech spray painted on mosques and temples. Catholic churches burned down. Asian Canadians have had to deal with more hate crimes since the pandemic started. This is Canada.
This being Canada Day, what do I do ? No fireworks this year. I think for me, it is a time for reflection on things we have done wrong, and think of ways to repair the damage done to everyone. I posted four pictures of orange flowers on Facebook. Cesar Garcia ( executive director of Mennonite World Conference ) reminded us that the church is of a different kingdom. We can celebrate being Canadian ( or Colombian ) , but we must be a different community of love and compassion in the church. We must be reconcilers. We must make God’s Kingdom upside down into the world. Fred
Soaring like Vultures lifted up by unseen Hands Trust, silent enters my fears Monica Pieper Landoni 2021
