(James 1)

This morning, we focus on the indigenous grandmother/ grandfather teaching of honesty, 

Along with a reflection based on James.

Each of the 7 teachings has an animal that is paired with the virtue, to better illustrate it, and make it more personal. 

Different First Nations pair the teaching or virtue 

with different animals or beings, 

but one of the most common pairings of honesty 

is actually with two: 

with the Raven and the Kitchi-Sabe.

Kitchi-what? 

You may ask? 

That’s also what I said initially. 

Kitchi-Sabe is also known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot.

What comes first to mind when I think of Sasquatch 

is this mythical forest monster 

supposedly sighted by white people at the frontiers of society.

Like Sasquatch, Kitchi-Sabe is also described as a large and hairy human-like creature, 

but in other ways he’s different.

The story about him might go like this:

“Long ago, there was a giant called Kitchi-Sabe. Kitchi-Sabe walked among the people to remind them to be honest to the laws of the creator and to be honest to each other. 

The highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual was the saying "There walks an honest man. He can be trusted." To be truly honest was to keep the promises one made to the Creator, to others and to oneself. The Elders would say, "Never try to be someone else; live true to your spirit, be honest to yourself and accept who you are, the way the Creator made you.”

The Sabe is believed to be closer to the spirit world than we are, it is taught; closer to the Creator.

You need to be honest when you’re really close to the Creator, because the Creator knows all, Creator knows when you’re being dishonest.

So The Sasquatch, or Sabe, is a symbol of …honesty.

———

The Sabe might say:

“To be honest is to be someone who is trusted and who speaks with truth. To never lie and always be genuine. Say what you mean, mean what you say .”

To walk through life with integrity is to know honesty.

Be honest with yourself.

Accept and use the gifts you have been given.

Do not seek to deceive yourself or others.

This is the Call to love through honesty.

—

So why are we doing this..spending now a fourth Sunday 

on an indigenous teaching?Of course honesty is not just an indigenous value, 

but it’s also a Christian value, 

but nevertheless, 

why spend time on a First Nations teaching during worship?

1. First, I think it’s about dispelling a few myths. Christianity for the past 500 years, until very recently, has diminished and condemned Indigenous spirituality, calling it uncivilized, satanic, evil etc.and using this mis-characterization to help justify cultural genocide and the attempted eradication of indigenous culture, traditions, and language.

1. I agree it’s important to take a very basic set of indigenous principles, such as the 7 teachings, which are widespread through communities across North America, and examine them, even briefly. By doing so, we can realize, That these teachings at their core, are very reasonable, and these good moral lessons are applicable to everyone, and are not evil or anti-Christian. We can learn to understand parallels between these traditional indigenous virtues and what is held up as good Christian behaviour in the Bible.

1. To be honest, promoting honesty as an important virtue is quite reasonable, right?
2. Third, when we reflect as white folks about our history of honesty, esp. in the indigenous context, we discover that honesty was abused by settlers, by colonizers. If we look back through the centuries: treaties were signed but not upheld, settlers signed off one thing but did another. They promised payments and benefits to their treaty partners in exchange for land, but in most cases they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. The history of colonization (which extends to today) is a history of dishonesty, usually on the part of the settlers.
3. As we learn more about indigenous history and traditions, and how Indigenous Christians incorporate traditional teachings into their faith lives, we can look to our indigenous siblings with compassion and recognize our mutual humanity, We can notice the common ground between us.

1. In a way, taking time for these 7 teachings in Sunday worship is an exercise in interfaith dialogue, just like what we would do if we were learning about another religion, like Islam. 
2. Of course there are key differences, and we are not all the same, but I think we have a responsibility as Lutherans to explore and learn not just about Lutheranism and what happens within our 4 walls, but also discover and experience what is going on with our indigenous Christian siblings, and what they treasure as being valuable.

—

And now as promised, 

we move on to what the Apostle James has to say 

about honesty in our second reading today.

(James 1:17-27)

The letter of James sometimes is called the “Proverbs of the New Testament” as it is to the point with a lot of good, simple advice for Christian living.

One could probably distill a list of 7 basic teachings from this letter as well!

How can you tell from the outside if you’re a Christian?

Is it maybe possible?

The problem James is struggling with, is that the readers of his letter are not even trying to live a good, virtuous life. They’re ignoring laws and pretending that their behaviour doesn’t matter.

But our behaviours, our values, as Christians do matter!

Luther himself put it this way: You are saved by faith alone, but if faith is alone 

it is not faith!

I repeat:

You are saved by faith alone, but if faith is alone 

it is not faith.

Our actions, our ethics are important.

So, what does James recommend?

V22 

Be doers of the word 

Not merely hearers.

You know what the Bible teaches you to do. 

You know the commandments, and Jesus’ instructions. 

Do them, or at least try as you can!

How pointless it is 

if you know the right way, 

but don’t even try.

It’s hypocritical.

It’s dishonest.

Don’t be two-faced…thinking and saying one thing 

and then doing something completely different.

Be doers of the word 

Not merely hearers.

A parishioner once had a very keen observation:

If there are 1.2 billion Christians on earth, 

or almost 1 out every 6 humans,

Why is the world so rotten?

Why is there so much bloodshed and horror, if there are so many Christians on earth.

Imagine …if they all did as Jesus said?

Why don’t they? 

Are they really Christians?

Well James would respond: 

that’s because many of those Christians, 

and perhaps many of those in power who claim to be Christian 

are hearers of the word only and not doers. 

They may be able to quote a Bible passage or hold a Bible,but don’t actually apply it to their lives. They are dishonest Christians, hypocrites, as their inside life doesn’t match with their outside life.

—

Further on in the letter,

James again emphasizes the importance of honesty in his teachings. In Chapter 5, he writes, "Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, (make an oath)not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no, or you will be condemned." 

This passage highlights the idea that Christians should stand by their word and be truthful in all aspects of their lives. 

James emphasizes that lying or deceitful behavior goes against the teachings of Christ.

We are reminded of the power of our words and the importance of upholding our promises, and of being honest. 

When we speak truthfully and let our yes mean yes and our no mean no, we reflect the character of Christ 

and honor our commitment to living with integrity.

>SUM

I think these are all wise teachings, 

whether from the Bible or the Kitchi-Sabe.

Let us seek to embody integrity and transparency 

as we navigate our journey as followers of Christ.

Let us strive to be people of honesty, 

whose actions and words are in alignment with God’s teachings.

Whether instructed by Kitchi-Sabe or James,

Loving God and humankind through honesty is the way to go.

Sources: Giants Among Us at the Café Graffiti: The Kitchi-Sabe (The Social Eyes: July 2023)

Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge: Seven Sacred Teachings of North American Indians ( Source: “The Sharing Circle” Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ).https://www.iceh.net/?p=281

Eastern Synod Circle for Reconciliation and Justice’s 7 Teachings resources https://easternsynod.org/circle-for-reconciliation-and-justice/

The Harper Study Bible.

*Hymn of the Day: “The Call is Clear and Simple”