It seems to have been the week for saying sorry. Much has been made of the new governments desire to say sorry to the indigenous peoples of Australia and without doubt, the media frenzy has served to focus our attention on the politics of the event rather than the event itself. Whatever part of the political spectrum you are from, there is no disagreement that the plight of the indigenous peoples of Australia is a sorry sight. High mortality rates, abuse and rampant addictions have decimated large sections of our indigenous community. In a country where there is significant wealth and opportunity, this is one people group who have missed out. 

If saying sorry for past injustices will fix the problems they face, then sorry is a small admission for such a large benefit. I wonder, though, whether saying sorry is the real answer. I don’t doubt that it is a step in the right direction but rather than saying sorry, being sorry and concerned is of greater value. We as a nation should be ready to own our history, whether past policies were just or unjust, foolish or merely immature, we must own what has really happened and seek to embrace the present and future of our indigenous peoples. 

On the other hand though, there is a responsibility for our indigenous peoples to forgive past injustices and to allow healing to occur. Many have and have experienced the peace that comes from forgiving. Until we both embrace common ownership of our country then there will be struggle and disparity. I do not believe that our common ownership will truly occur until both black and white have embraced the spirit of forgiveness that comes only from the Lord God, who give the power to forgive and to heal.

In love, Alan