Belonging

It is magnificent how the Master Artist mixes and combines colors and brush strokes to create a masterpiece of life; and how the creator of a beautiful symphony first composes the melody and then brings it all together writing the notes for individual instruments which will add to and fill-out the completed master piece. It is the variety of colours of the painting, the notes and different voices of the musical instruments that adds depth and richness too the over-all experience of them.

This past summer I had the opportunity to take part in the Indigenous Pastoral Leadership course offered by St. Paul University here in Ottawa. It is a summer program that follows a three-year exploration of the “Way of the Good Life” through the themes of Belonging, Purpose and Direction.  This year’s theme was Belonging. We spent the first two days ‘on the land’ and then three days at the university; in both milieus we came together in a circle and were invited to pray and share throughout our time together, and it was in this way that our days began.

And although it was titled as a course I felt drawn to experience the course as a retreat, a ‘taking it in to myself so as to be able to experience new depth and richness’.

Our days began in celebration with rituals; morning prayers with singing, drumming and smudging.

“O Great Spirit,

Earth, sun, sky and sea;

You are inside

And all around me.”

I was not a stranger to this song of praise to God, but over the days it became more personal – its words becoming like tendrils weaving their way in and through my heart and my being. This was a gift offered by my indigenous brothers and sisters and which was shared in and with all in the circle during the smudging ceremony; a prayer of purification that engaged all of my senses. I welcomed the smoke of sweet-grass and using my hands embraced it to cover and become part of my entire body, mind and spirit.

Belonging – “You are inside and all around me.”

There were elders there who guided and walked with us as they shared and taught and invited us to take part in a way of being that was new to some of us and a reminder to most. We were joined by both indigenous and non-indigenous leaders as we experienced both ceremonies and traditional teachings Morning and afternoon sessions were and belonging in the Living Church. There was more on the Bible and our creation stories, followed by ‘Leading Community Prayer and our final Interaction and Sharing Circle. And always – all sessions were followed by sharing.

I found myself ‘falling in love’ as I came to know others in our shared circle; each of us finding a way to share our own story; in this way we shared who we are rather than just focusing on what had been done to us or what we have done to others.

I learned more about the Sacred Fire and the gifts of our Creator God to each of us. We heard one of the “strawberry” stories – did you know that it is the first fruit of the season – after the snows have gone and the earth warmed up? She is the only fruit whose seeds are grown on the outside and how we see the shape of a heart when a strawberry is cut in half.

And as happens with both courses and retreats, I came away with the sense of having received great and rich gifts from my time with the others during the week.

Belonging – one of the fruits that enriches us all; in our lives and our prayers, in our ways of being.

I am blessed to carry that with me. In my mind I look at the faces of all those I spent time with during the week – they have become a part of the ever-growing circle in my heart and so just as we shared ourselves in prayer during the course we do in prayer. The circle grows and I think of Oraison.

Sometimes now with my morning prayer and when at Mass as we move into the Penitential Rite I experience within myself a way of being smudged and becoming imbued with the Spirit of God. Almost 2 months have gone by and I joyfully continue taking advantage of the beautiful gifts that were shared so freely. Entering into meditation my heart sings “Come, Holy Spirit, fill our and enkindle in us the fire of you love.” And coming out of that meditation I sing “O Great Spirit…”

Belonging – “You are inside and all around me.”

The richness of gifts that are offered and shared among us; adding fullness and depth to our lives. In our coming together, getting to know each other and sharing our practices and who we are – that is our Belonging.

By Eleanor Rabnett