Reflection
Each year National Reconciliation Week celebrates, builds and strengthens respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. As Catholic Christians who have reconciliation at the very heart of our faith, this week provides us with the perfect opportunity to put action to our beliefs.
The theme for this National Reconciliation Week, Be a Voice for Generations, encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, pray and socialise. It urges us to use our power, our words and our actions to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
Reconciliation Prayer
Holy Father, God of Love,
You are the Creator of all things.
We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history
and the sufferings of Our peoples, and we ask your forgiveness.
We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures
Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.
Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better
future for our Nation.
Teach us to respect all cultures. Teach us to care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land. Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.
May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
(Wontulp Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group 13 March 1997 Brisbane, Qld).
