A Word of Encouragement

Sorry is a powerful word. But only when used sincerely. See, we can easily say the words “I’m sorry” but they lose their power unless also accompanied by genuine remorse and new behaviours. And when the hurt has been great, it’s the person we’ve hurt who will most sense if our apology and remorse is from a genuine place or not. They’ll know because when an apology is genuine it will have included a time of listening, of being heard as they share of their story and their pain. It will have involved a time of honest reflecting, of entering into the pain held by another and importantly, of taking ownership of our part in their pain. It’s only then that an apology can truly be genuine and true reconciliation can begin. “I’m so sorry” when it comes with this proper listening and ownership of the hurt we’ve caused is powerful indeed! 

Last Wednesday was National Sorry Day and we had a special guest speaker at our religious assembly who spoke to us of the importance of listening to our nation’s First Peoples. He spoke to us of how the indigenous voice has been largely silenced in our history books, and of how we need to make a choice to be active listeners, to seek out indigenous accounts and give space and time and reflection to their history in our shared story. If you were challenged and encouraged by Mr Mackenzie’s words and would like to become a more active listener, can I recommend the common grace website as a great place to start (www.commongrace.org.au). 

Reconciliation is at the very heart of the Christian faith. In the Christian story, it’s God who has taken the initiative in reconciliation and it’s God who calls his followers to do likewise in our relationships. So, let’s do it. Let’s commit to being willing and active listeners, to truly hear and enter into the story of our First Nations Peoples. And as we grow in understanding, let’s make it our goal to be growing as agents of reconciliation in how we act, speak of and champion the cause of our indigenous neighbours.  

Rev Karen Reid

School Chaplain