10.24.22
“We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you.” - Jeremiah 14:20
What do we do to acknowledge the iniquities of our ancestors? This is a question that I have been pondering as we have just passed Columbus Day and enter November which is Native American Heritage month as well as the month of Thanksgiving. What do we do with the knowledge that our ancestors (and we!) have harmed people - by action or inaction - and that we benefit from that harm? We want to move away from these moments and focus on action and forgiveness and all of those “nice” things. It feels scary to sit in and feel. But the reality is not nice, and we must face the scary. We first sit with acknowledging our wickedness. What are the iniquities of you or your ancestors that are hard or uncomfortable to confront?
How is it to allow yourself to acknowledge and name the harm you or your ancestors have done? What does accountability mean?
Are there people with whom you need to acknowledge your harm or make things right? How might you do that? What does repair mean?
Share a thought in the comments below. Or if you are too shy for that, share us with a friend.