We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the path to the top.
We call upon you to do the climbing.The Hon. Murray Sinclair, 15 December 2015
Creator God, you called Mary to be your messenger.
She sings of your plan to uproot those who assume power and bring justice to all.
She courageously says yes to you in a world that resists change.
You also call us to share your message of justice,
and to confront the systems that oppress so many and enrich so few.
We are called to say yes to you in a country that resists change.
Ten years ago, we were shown a mountain, and the path to its top.
We were called to do the climbing.
Today we acknowledge that the path has not been smooth,
and that we have not reached the summit.
Some of us continue, some of us have given up, and some of us never got on the path.
Help us to be like Mary, who rejoices in you and what you asked of her.
Help us to courageously say yes when you ask us to:
confront racism and privilege,
challenge ongoing colonial policies,
support healing for all people,
make amends, and
build right relationships together as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
Give us courage to name the truth.
Grant us patience and persistence to travel this path.
Strengthen our hearts and hands.
Stir us to action.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who brings us your ministry of reconciliation.
Amen.
—Sara Stratton, Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator
Scriptural References: Luke 1:46b-55; 2 Corinthians 5:18–19