A slight rework of a previous post, offered with Mourning Day services in mind (January 21)
From the beginning
From the beginning as continents drifted
God’s Spirit hovered over this land;
sculpting, renewing; rock, tree and lizard,
rainforest richness, waves crashing on sand.
Having sung country into existence,
the Spirit calls out: First Peoples, come!
This is your land now, tend and enjoy it,
step with its rhythms, dance to its thrum.
We thank you, Lord, for this ancient wisdom,
feeling the heartbeat, singing its songs;
harvesting grasses, trapping the fishes,
lighting the fires to keep country strong.
We thank you, Lord, for this ancient culture,
graciously shared with those who late came.
Help us remember, and to acknowledge
eras of dispossession and pain.
We thank you, Lord, for being there, present
with those who struggle, from country removed;
living in two worlds, seeking a future,
may they find hope and know that they’re loved.
Lord we rejoice in the wonder of songlines;
Spirit connections throughout our wide land.
Welcome love’s offer to journey together,
healing the nation to meet love’s command.
© Ken Rookes. Revised 2024
Freely available for use in worship.
Tune: Bunessan. TiS 156
No comments:
Post a Comment