Today we celebrate All souls day. November is also Native American Heritage Month. Today we pray for and remember those faithful people who have departed. Some will go out to a graveyard and plant flowers or bulbs, while others will light a candle and say prayers. For those of us who are indigenous to this continent, we are constantly grateful for our ancestors, and for those who walked the roads before us. We often live in a circle of time rather than a very linear time. The seasons remind us to be grateful for all that we have received. This season is not one of grief, alone, but for a hopefulness, born within us, trusting that the coming generations will heal the wounds we cannot. Those who came before us could not know or heal the wounds we carry yet we trust in each generation God will reveal the necessary healing. May we be grateful today and always for those who have taught us how to love those who have helped us heal and those who will bring us new love and healing in the days to come.
Mysterious and loving Creator, you have given us time on this earth
To live lives of love and healing while we can
Knowing the days are short, and our time is finite and passing.
Too often we act as if our time is limitless, and the days are endless
Yet we also know that we grow old and weak as time passes
And every hour we need your presence with us so all may thrive.
Help us, Lord today, to remember those who have come before us
To honor their legacy by caring for the weak and lonely here
So we might bring your love and healing in this generation. Amen.
