Forgive us our trespasses
Aunty Ravina Waldren reflects on the power and importance of forgiveness in our journey of faith.
A transcript of Uncle Vince Ross' reflection can be downloaded here.
“The key words for me in that particular line…it speaks about listening without any distraction…when we are listening with that sort of attitude, we start to hear the message. In responding to God’s work, it’s just about saying ‘Lord, I don’t understand all this…You’re gonna have to continue to travel with me and show me the way I need to go’. This is the answer. These are the key words: listening, responding, and less of self and more of God”.
“Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”. In this line of the Lord’s Prayer Jesus is teaching us to focus on God’s will, praying together for God’s vision, plans and purpose, to be revealed, experienced and lived out today on Earth as it already is in Heaven. Madi-Madi Elder Uncle Vince Ross reminds us of the importance of tuning in and listening deeply to our Creator God as we seek to live out this prayer, an active listening “without any distraction…when we are listening with that sort of attitude, we start to hear the message”. In this listening we learn to walk with God, hearing and responding to His call into restored relationship with Him, our neighbour and all creation (Mark 12:28-31).
We invite you to pray and continue reflecting on The Lord’s Prayer today.
Read: Isaiah 61:1-3, Romans 8:19-23 and Ephesians 1:7-10
Reflect: What do these passages tell us about God’s will for all his creation?
What element of God’s will coming to bear on the earth are you most longing for?
What might it mean for God’s will to be done in your workplace, home and school, amongst your family, friends and neighbours?
Pray: Join us in prayer today, led by Abbey Sim.
Sovereign God,
Help us to be rooted in you,
Like a mighty eucalypt
Soaking down into the earth.
Help keep our minds
On Heaven’s
In-breaking
Light of God
Filling hungry bellies
With bread and wine
Open our ears
To listen as prayer
With those who weep
With those who rejoice
From when we are
Anointed with vernix
We are anointed with
Your love
May the clear, first cry
We hear
Be yours
Your will be done
On Earth
As it is in Heaven
Amen.
Act:
Is there a particular aspect of God’s will you struggle to rationalise and see as good? Share this uncertainty with a close, safe friend. Hearing others' thoughts and experiences can sometimes help widen your perspective. Together you could, as Uncle Vince suggests, ask God to travel with you, help you understand and show you the way to go, to “seek more of God's guidance, power, love, and forgiveness”.
Uncle Vince Ross was born at Balranald NSW on the banks of the Murrumbidgee river and his clan group is the Madi-Madi/Wamba-Wamba people. He has had extensive experience in various workplaces and ministries, including twenty years with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress as State Director during which time he established Narana Creations in Geelong. Uncle Vince has also been the Chairperson of The Salvation Army National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group. Uncle Vince was awarded National NAIDOC Elder of the Year in 2006.
