August 30 – “Another Way”

Many thanks to all who filled in for me in any way last week while I was on study leave. I attended the Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative, a joint gathering with United Church of Canada folks from one side of the Great Lakes and United Church of Christ folks from the other. We were guided by Adrian Jacobs (Ganosono), Cayuga, from Six Nations, senior leader of Indigenous Justice and Reconciliation for the Christian Reformed Church in Canada. Using replicas of the historical beaded Wampum belts that tell the story of treaties agreed to over the centuries, Adrian brought home the idea of trusted relationships being important above all things. It was ironic that we were learning all this while a vindictive trade war was occurring in the background…

Funnily enough, the lectionary scripture this week from the Book of Romans is also about relationships. Paul was telling the Christian community in Rome that if they were to take on the life of Christ, that it would be radically different from what they knew. They were to live lives of genuine love. Rather than retaliate against those who persecuted them, they were advised to bless them. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil,” Paul writes, “but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.” Imagine.

To prepare, read Romans 12:9-21, and ponder the following:

1.      What would the current trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. look like if negotiators were following Paul’s advice?

2.      Of all that Paul encourages, what do you find the most radical?

Image: Wampum belts used for teaching about treaties by Ganosono (Adrian Jacobs) at the Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative