Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Carol Swanson.

Today I continue to share some important teachings from THE MISHOMIS BOOK, The Voice of the Ojibway, by Edward Benton-Banai (spiritual leader, teacher, cofounder of AIM), written for all ages but especially the young. Mishomis (Grandfather) has much to teach us about Kinship, about our relationship with all of creation and the Creator.

One story tells of the 7 Grandfathers (Spirits) who give a boy (to give to and teach the others) 7 gifts: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility and Truth. And know each has an opposite that is evil, so use each gift wisely. Live a balanced life, in harmony with all; walk in beauty.

The final powerful story is of the 7 Fires, prophesies given many centuries ago, before colonization. They describe 7 ages of time. The first 3 urge the Anishinabe people (living along the northeast coast) to move west to where food grows on water. There will be 7 stops along the way (and will take a few centuries, populating the whole Great Lakes area).

The 4th Fire is given by 2 prophets and tell of the Light-skinned Race that will come. The first prophet says that if they come in “brotherhood, then there will come a time of wonderful change for generations to come. They will bring new knowledge and articles that can be joined with the knowledge of this country. In this way two nations will join to make a mighty nation”—if they come with no weapons. The second prophet says, “Beware” if they come “wearing the face of death,” which looks much like brotherhood. “If they come in suffering…they could fool you. Their hearts may be filled with greed for the riches of this land.” Do not trust them.

The 5th Fire prophet tells of a “time of struggle.” It may seem to “hold a promise of great joy and salvation” and people will “abandon the old teachings.” It’s a false promise and will cause destruction. 

The 6th Fire will be a time when the children are taken away from their people, their teachings, and will “turn against the elders… the elders will lose their reason for living…. The balance of many people will be disturbed. The cup of life…will almost become the cup of grief.”  A group of visionaries would gather the sacred bundles and hide them until they could practice their religion freely again.

The 7th Fire prophet foretold a New People would emerge, return to the elders, “a rebirth of the Anishinabe nation… The Sacred Fire will again be lit.” 

[AND LISTEN CAREFULLY]

“It is at this time that the Light-Skinned Race will be given a choice between two roads. If they choose the right road, then the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth and Final Fire—an eternal Fire of peace, love, brotherhood and sisterhood. If the Light-skinned Race makes the wrong choice of roads, then the destruction which they brought with them in coming to this country will come back to them ad cause much suffering and death to all the Earth’s people”  (pp89-93)

And then Mishomis asks, “If we natural people of the Earth could just wear the face of brotherhood, we might be able to deliver our society from the road to destruction. Could we make the two roads that today represent two clashing world views come together to form that mighty nation? Could a nation be formed that is guided by respect for all living things?” (p93)

May we learn from our First Nations to value and respect our earthly home and fellow creatures.

Let us pray together one of the petitions from Sunday’s Prayer for the Church:

Good and gracious God… You call us to be good stewards of all you created, and yet we fail again and again. Forgive us when we abuse the earth’s beauty and damage its potential. Empower us through your Spirit to nurture and love the world that all creation sings to your glory. Merciful God, you hear our prayer.

We pray for our brothers and sisters [including those in nature] who face physical and mental illness of any kind, those who have been impacted by devastating floods and fires, those who are living with chronic pain, fear, and uncertainty…those who walk in darkness and struggling to find hope. Bring healing and comfort to all who cry out for help, and hold close those we name in the silence of our hearts. Merciful God, you hear our prayer. Amen