Indigenous Peoples' Day | Long Ago ... There Was the Story

"Madonna and Child" by Fr. John Giuliani

Long ago,
in the time before all days,
before the creation of all things ...
There was the Story.
+ 
First Nations Version
An Indigenous Translation
of the New Testament
by Terry M. Wildman

Today, as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on the precipice of Advent only a couple months away, let's take a moment to highlight some First Nations visual and aural artistry. 

During a season of continuing to welcome curiosity, I always enjoy listening again to Native Americans Darlene and Terry M. Wildman, the late Richard Twiss, Mark Charles and more tell me aspects of the Story of God found in the Bible in ways that open me to more wonder about Christ, who "holds all creation together" (Colossians 1:15-17). Perhaps this post will do the same for you. Enjoy.

First Nations Version
The Magnificat
(Luke 1:45-56)
Paraphrase

"Bitter Tears (Mary), you have been chosen by the Maker of Life for a great honor, because you believed His words to you." 

When Bitter Tears heard this, she was full of gladness and her words flowed out like a song. 

"From deep in my heart I dance with joy to honor the Great Spirit. Even though I am small and weak He noticed me. Now I will be looked up to by all. The Mighty One has lifted me up! His name is sacred. He is the Great and Holy One." 

Her face seemed to shine as she continued. 

"He shows kindness and mercy to both children and elders who respect Him. His strong arm has brought low the ones who think they are better than others. He counts coup with arrogant warrior chiefs, but puts a headdress of honor on the ones with humble hearts." 

She smiled, looked up to the sky and shouted for joy! 

"He prepares a great feast for the ones who are hungry, but sends the fat ones home with empty bellies. He remembers the promise He made to the tribes of Wrestles With Creator (Israel), and has shown kindness to the children of Father of Many Nations (Abraham)." 

When she finished Bitter Tears and Creator Is My Promise (her cousin, Elizabeth) both laughed with joy. With hearts full of gladness they told each other their stories.

Birth of the Chosen One by Terry M. Wildman

First Nations Version
In the Beginning was the Story
(John 1:1-18)
Paraphrase

Long ago, 

in the time before all days, 

before the creation of all things ... 

There was the Story. 

The Story was face to face with Creator and was the same as Creator. He was with Creator in the beginning. 

The Story made everything there is. Nothing was made except by Him. 

Life was in Him and shined its light on all human beings. This is the true Light that comes to all the peoples of the world, and shines on everyone. His light shines into the darkness of this world, and the darkness cannot put it out. Even though He made all people, not everyone recognized Him. Even His own tribe did not welcome or honor Him. But all who welcome and trust Him receive their birthright as children of the Great Spirit. They are born in a new way, not from a human father's plans, but born from above. 

The Story became a human being and lived as one of us — the Great Storyteller. We saw how honorable He was. The kind of honor that comes from being an only son to a father, One who is fully trusted and favored. 

From His goodness we have all had goodwill poured out on us. Drawn From The Water (Moses) gave us the great law, but the blessing way and truth came from Creator Sets Free (Jesus) — the Chosen One. 

No one has ever seen the Great Spirit, but His only born Son. He is the One who is closest to Grandfather's heart, and has shown us what He is like ... 

The Good News begins with the story of Creator Sets Free, who is the Son of the Great Spirit, and the Chosen One of the tribes of Wrestles with Creator.

If you enjoyed this reading of the Magnificat and the beginning of the Gospel of John, I encourage you to take a look at Birth of the Chosen One during this upcoming season of Advent, Christmas, Christmastide, and Epiphany.

"Lakota Trinity" by Fr. John Giuliani

Bonus Story

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

(1656-1680)

Prophetic Witness

My decision has been made.
I have consecrated myself entirely
to Jesus son of Mary.

Tekakwitha was born in a Mohawk village in the region now called upstate New York. A smallpox epidemic devastated her village when Tekakwitha was a child. Her family was killed and she was left an orphan with damaged eyesight and a face scarred from the disease. 

Tekakwitha was adopted by relatives and met a French Jesuit missionary at age 11. When the Mohawks defeated Mohican invaders, the Jesuit missionary pleaded for mercy for the captives. The influence of the Jesuit’s faith had a deep impact on Tekakwitha throughout her teenage years. By age 18, she asked to study the Christian catechism and to be baptized.

At her baptism, she was given the name ‘Kateri,’ a form of the name ‘Catherine’ in honor of Catherine of Siena. Other Mohawks interpreted her new faith as a form of sorcery and she was forced to live with other Christian converts at a Jesuit mission south of Montreal. She had long avoided marriage and decided to commit herself entirely to the Lord’s service. “For a long time, my decision on what I will do has been made.” she said. “I have consecrated myself entirely to Jesus, son of Mary ... ” She devoted the rest of her life to committed prayer and fasting for her people.

She passed away young, at age 24 on April 17, 1680. Because of the way she lived, she is known as the patron saint of people in exile, ecology and the environment, and Native Americans.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s tomb is found at St. Francis Xavier Mission in the Mohawk Nation at Kahnaqake, near Montreal, Quebec.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Our Church Speaks

Prayer

Almighty God, You have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of Your servant Kateri Tekakwitha, may we persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last, with her, we attain to Your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

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