Remembering the Truth, Honoring Our Neighbors

Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to 

walk humbly with your God?

Summary: I celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day because my Christian faith calls me to honor the dignity 

of every human being, tell the truth about our history, and seek reconciliation where harm 

has been done.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Monday was Indigenous Peoples’ Day. And I have to tell you, I much prefer celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day to Columbus Day. Not because I dislike history or believe we should erase it. Quite the opposite. I believe we need to tell more of it.

For generations, many of us learned that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. I remember learning that in school. But there is a rather significant problem with that story. You cannot discover a place where millions of people are already living.

Indigenous peoples had been living in the Americas for thousands of years before Columbus arrived. They had civilizations, cultures, governments, spiritual traditions, and rich communities. They were not waiting to be discovered.

And the history that followed European arrival included violence, enslavement, displacement, and the destruction of Indigenous communities. Tragically, Christianity was sometimes used to justify these actions.

That is something I believe we Christians need to acknowledge.

Our faith teaches us that every human being is created in the image of God. Not just people who look like us, worship like us, or share our culture. Every single person.

When I think about Jesus, I see someone who consistently challenged the stories powerful people told about themselves. He noticed people who were overlooked. He listened to voices others dismissed. He reminded people that their neighbors deserved dignity, compassion, and justice.

I think celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day is one small way of practicing those values.

It doesn't mean we have to pretend that history is simple. Columbus's voyages profoundly changed the world. But we can acknowledge their historical significance without celebrating the suffering and exploitation that accompanied European colonization.

And perhaps most importantly, Indigenous Peoples’ Day isn't just about the past. Indigenous people are our neighbors today. Their cultures, languages, traditions, and communities are living and vibrant. They have stories worth hearing and wisdom worth sharing.

Micah reminds us that God asks us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.

I think that last part is especially important. Humility means recognizing that the version of history we learned may not be the whole story. It means being willing to listen, learn, and sometimes change our minds.

That is not a threat to our Christian faith.

I believe it is an expression of it.

Blessings,

Pastor Anny+

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God, give us the courage to face the truth, the humility to listen to voices we have overlooked, and the wisdom to recognize your image in every person. Help us become people who seek justice, practice compassion, and work toward reconciliation. Amen.