As a pastor, I spend some time in cemeteries. It’s moving to see visitors taking care of headstones, planting flowers, or simply spending quiet moments in reflection or prayer.
The peace and tranquility of those scenes stands in stark contrast to a discovery in British Columbia, Canada, where the remains of 215 children were found at the site of a former residential school.
Approximately 150,000 indigenous children were taken away from their homes and sent to over 130 schools between the 1870’s and 1996. It is a painful part of this country’s history. The discovery of these human remains in an unmarked grave is so painful on so many levels, and sends a chill up my spine.
Today I’m going to spend 215 seconds in silence as a way to remember. One second for every child. That’s just over three and a half minutes.
I’m going to begin by reading John 13:34: “Love one another,” Jesus said. “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
When we treat all people with respect we are honouring the image of God in others and within ourselves.
215 seconds.
Might you join me?
Notes:
–My latest sermon is called “Load-bearing walls—for your life,” and is based on Acts 2:42-47. You can click here to access YouTube or audio-only options.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
The Up Devotional 