A gospel of truth & reconciliation
Serving the World
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility [...] His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
—Ephesians 2:14-16
The letter to the Ephesians reveals the reality of our world defined by the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. While often hidden, it's a reality made visible in the church. This alternate gospel-reality impacts every facet of life. The letter calls believers to live in multi-ethnic community united together in Christ, urging them to follow Jesus, to love the city, and to serve the world.
Our Early Careers Home Church is studying Ephesians this semester (if you're a young adult, join us! We meet on Mondays at 7pm near Yonge and Eglinton). This coming Monday we'll be thinking about how Jews and Gentiles have become a new humanity in Jesus, loved deeply by God and called to live together in peace (2:11-3:21.) Our divided world desperately needs followers of Jesus to live and share this message of unity and peace.
This truth is particularly apt as we anticipate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) on September 30th. In preparation, I have been reading a newly published book by David A. Roberston called 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing. David Robertson is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and has won many literary awards, including the Governor General’s Literary Award (www.darobertson.ca—he'll be speaking at the Rotman Centre on September 29 if you're interested). His book aims to help every Canadian who has ever asked ‘what can I do to advance reconciliation.’
Our family has been walking this path of reconciliation now for 18 years. We are grateful to have learned from so many Indigenous people along the way. We have heard so many stories. Many of them are utterly heartbreaking. Things look very different now than they did back when we started learning back in 2007. There has been a huge movement forward in Canada’s understanding of the experience of Indigenous peoples. The extensive work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has greatly contributed to this growing awareness with the publication of their Final Report and 94 Calls to Action in 2015.
Over the years, our family has tried to intentionally “walk with Indigenous peoples on the path to healing.” It's been our response to God’s call to serve the world. Just as Jesus has destroyed the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, so He has broken down the barrier between settlers and Indigenous peoples. In Himself, through the cross, Jesus has created one new humanity, putting to death hostility and preaching peace (2:13-22.) Jesus calls us to live and share this message.
If you are wondering what small, but significant, steps you could take to participate in reconciliation, David Robertson’s book is for you! His ideas are very manageable and the chapters are short. He proposes that we consider one idea each week over the course of a year. Ideas range from hosting a movie night, to supporting an Indigenous musician, to speaking up to share your learning with others.
Whatever steps of reconciliation you plan to take, know that Jesus equips you for this ministry. Jesus calls the church to contribute our gifts to build up His body in unity and maturity (4:1-16). The church has failed deeply and been responsible for much harm towards Indigenous peoples. Even so, Jesus is restoring the image of God in His people, and calling the church to take off old traits and put on new traits which are consistent with the character of Christ (4:17-6:9.)
We, the church, will serve the world as we continue to take responsibility for past hurt and seek to walk in love, and towards peace, with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.
—Nicky
