First Nations Version of the New Testament

     In honoring national Native American month during November, we have added The First Nations Version of the New Testament ( learn more here) to our practice of Sacred Reading. We read the First Nations translation of the Gospel reading identified in the Revised Common Lectionary for the Sunday to come. 

    This shift in perspective supports many of the core values of our shared sacred reading practice, including openness to newness and questions, accessibility, diversity, and a sense of welcoming inclusion.  The contrasts of word choice, tone, and style to our more traditional translations can open our hearts and minds to the many layered meanings of God’s Word, a living, resonant Word whose continuously unfolding mystery is never exhausted or controlled by human language. It is also a gift to be connected to and to learn from an indigenous spirituality, so needed for the healing of our culture and of the earth itself