Gratitude and Honesty: A Call to Reconciliation

Devotional

Day 1: God Calls Us to Justice and Repentance

Throughout history, people and nations have made grave mistakes, often failing to treat others with the dignity and respect they deserve as fellow human beings made in the image of God. Yet, there is hope when we have the courage to look honestly at our past, acknowledge our wrongs, and seek to do better. This process of facing uncomfortable truths is not just about national history, but about our own lives as well—recognizing where we have fallen short and asking God to help us become people of justice, love, and reconciliation. [33:41]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life or community where you need to acknowledge a wrong and take a step toward making it right today?

Day 2: Every Person Bears the Image of God

It is easy to forget, especially in times of fear or division, that every person—regardless of background, appearance, or history—is created in the image of God and worthy of love and respect. When we treat others as less than ourselves, we not only harm them but also deny the truth of God’s creation. Let us remember to see the divine image in each person we encounter, and let that truth shape our actions and attitudes. [42:03]

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Reflection: Who in your life do you find it hardest to see as made in God’s image? What is one way you can show them respect or kindness this week?

Day 3: God Speaks in Unexpected Ways

Sometimes we expect God to show up in dramatic, unmistakable ways, but often God’s presence is found in the quiet, gentle moments—a whisper, a silence, a nudge in our spirit. Like Elijah, we may be waiting for fire or earthquake, but God may be calling us out of our caves through a gentle whisper, inviting us to listen and respond even when we feel alone or discouraged. [45:12]

1 Kings 19:11-13 (ESV)
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Reflection: When was the last time you paused in silence to listen for God’s gentle whisper? Set aside five minutes today to be still and attentive to God’s presence.

Day 4: We Are Not Alone in Our Calling

Even when we feel isolated or overwhelmed by the challenges before us, God reminds us that we are not alone. There are others who share our burdens and our hopes, and God continues to call us forward, equipping us with what we need and surrounding us with a community of support. No matter our limitations or struggles, God still has a purpose for us and invites us to make a difference in the world. [46:21]

Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.

Reflection: Who are the people God has placed around you to support and encourage you? How can you reach out to someone today to offer or receive support?

Day 5: Gratitude and Hope for Our Country

As we celebrate the blessings of our country, we are called not only to give thanks but also to work for a nation marked by love, peace, liberty, and goodness. Gratitude for what we have should inspire us to seek the well-being of all, to pray for our leaders, and to commit ourselves to building a more just and compassionate society. Let us go forth with hope, trusting that God’s love can transform our communities and our nation. [01:08:30]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can pray for or contribute to the good of your country this week?

Sermon Summary

Gratitude fills the heart as we reflect on the blessings of living in Canada, especially during this Canada Day weekend. This country is a place of beauty, opportunity, and freedom, and it is right to celebrate all that is good about it. Yet, true love for our nation also means having the courage to look honestly at its painful chapters. We remember the injustices faced by Japanese Canadians during World War II, when thousands were uprooted, dispossessed, and treated as outsiders in their own land. The story of Reverend Edward Yoshioka, who served faithfully despite the hardships his family endured, reminds us that the wounds of history are not so distant, and that the struggle for justice and belonging continues.

Canada’s greatness is not just in its achievements, but in its willingness to face its failures and seek reconciliation. The apology and compensation given decades later to Japanese Canadians is a sign of hope, but it also calls us to vigilance. We are reminded that sin—our failure to love God and one another—persists when we forget the lessons of the past or fail to see the image of God in every person. The prophetic voice is needed: those who can name injustice in real time, not just in hindsight, and who have the courage to call us to do better.

Yet, not all are called to be prophets in the public square. Each of us, with our unique gifts and limitations, is called to make a difference. The story of Elijah, who expected God in the dramatic but found Him in the gentle whisper, teaches us that God meets us in unexpected ways and calls us onward, even when we feel alone or inadequate. God’s call persists, inviting us to participate in the ongoing work of love, justice, and reconciliation.

As we celebrate our country, let us give thanks for its blessings, commit ourselves to its betterment, and remember that God is not finished with us yet. There is still more for each of us to do, and God’s love and presence go with us as we seek to be agents of peace, liberty, and goodness in our land.

Key Takeaways

1. True patriotism involves both gratitude and honesty. It is easy to celebrate the good in our country, but it takes courage to face its failures and work toward healing. Only by acknowledging the painful chapters of our history can we move forward in genuine unity and justice. [33:41]
2. The story of Japanese Canadians during World War II is a sobering reminder of how fear and suspicion can lead to grave injustice. Even those who have done nothing wrong can become victims when society forgets their shared humanity. Our calling is to see and honor the image of God in every person, regardless of background or appearance. [35:34]
3. Prophetic voices are essential in every generation. While it is easy to recognize injustice in hindsight, it takes spiritual discernment and courage to name it as it happens. Those who do so are often misunderstood, but their faithfulness helps guide communities toward repentance and renewal. [43:19]
4. God’s presence is not always found in the dramatic or the obvious. Like Elijah, we may expect God to act in grand ways, but often God comes to us in the quiet, in the gentle whisper, inviting us to listen and trust. This teaches us to be attentive to the subtle movements of the Spirit in our lives. [45:12]
5. Each person has a unique calling, shaped by both strengths and limitations. God does not wait for us to be perfect before inviting us to participate in His work. As long as we are here, there is more for us to do—acts of love, justice, and kindness that make our world a better place. [46:21]
** [46:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:11] - Opening Reflections and Gratitude
[25:40] - Prayers and Thanksgiving
[28:51] - Gifts and Community
[32:00] - Canada Day Reflections
[33:41] - Facing Difficult Chapters in Canadian History
[35:34] - The Story of Japanese Canadians
[37:52] - Reverend Yoshioka’s Journey
[39:17] - Loss, Memory, and Community Response
[40:41] - The Call to Make Wrongs Right
[42:03] - Sin, Prophetic Voices, and Activism
[43:19] - The Gift and Challenge of Prophecy
[45:12] - Elijah and the Gentle Whisper
[46:21] - God’s Ongoing Call
[68:30] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 19:9-18 — (Elijah encounters God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper.)

Genesis 1:26-27 — (God creates humanity in His own image.)

Micah 6:8 — (“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”)

Observation Questions

In the story of Elijah on Mount Horeb, what were the different ways God’s presence was revealed, and how did Elijah finally recognize God? (1 Kings 19:11-13)
According to the sermon, what happened to Japanese Canadians during World War II, and how did the government respond many years later? [[33:41]]
What does Genesis 1:26-27 say about every person’s value and identity?
What does Micah 6:8 say God requires from us?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to speak to Elijah in a gentle whisper instead of dramatic ways? What might this teach us about how God communicates? [[45:12]]
The sermon says that true patriotism involves both gratitude and honesty. Why is it important to remember and face the painful parts of our country’s history, not just the good? [[33:41]]
The story of Reverend Yoshioka and his family was shared as an example. What does his experience show us about belonging, justice, and the ongoing struggle for acceptance? [[37:52]]
The sermon mentions that not everyone is called to be a prophet in the public square. What are some other ways people can make a difference in their communities? [[46:21]]

Application Questions

The sermon encourages us to give thanks for the blessings of living in Canada. What is one specific thing about this country that you are grateful for, and how can you express that gratitude this week? [[32:00]]
When you hear about injustices—past or present—how do you usually respond? Is there a painful chapter in our country’s history that you find hard to talk about? What would it look like to face it honestly? [[33:41]]
The story of Japanese Canadians is a reminder to see the image of God in every person. Is there a group or individual you find it hard to see this in? What is one step you could take to honor their dignity this week? [[42:03]]
The sermon talks about prophetic voices who name injustice in real time. Have you ever felt called to speak up about something wrong, even if it was unpopular? What helped or held you back? [[43:19]]
Elijah expected God in the dramatic, but God came in a gentle whisper. Are there quiet or unexpected ways God might be speaking to you right now? How can you make space to listen? [[45:12]]
The sermon says God calls us with both our strengths and our limitations. What is one area where you feel inadequate, but sense God might still want to use you? [[46:21]]
As we celebrate our country, what is one practical way you can work for love, justice, or reconciliation in your community this month? [[46:21]]

Sermon Clips

There's nothing like a little bit of a threat for us to help us remember what a good thing we have. This is an amazing country in which we live, and there's no country where I would rather be than living in Canada. I'm proud of this country, and I got to tell you that one of the things that makes me most proud about Canada, sometimes when we do national pride, we lift up all the amazing things that we have done. Part of what I am proud for this country is that we have the courage to look back on some of our not -so -good chapters and to face them honestly, to look at them and say, look, we're not perfect. We're not perfect, and we want to do better and be better. [00:33:22]

We think of, of course, the last week was Indigenous Peoples Day, and we think of that horrible chapter with residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but there have been other chapters. I think about during World War II, the internment of 21 ,000 Japanese Canadians. [00:34:16]

It's still not easy today. Racialized clergy in the United Church have a much harder time finding pulpits in which to preach and to serve than do white Caucasian clergy like me. [00:38:59]

Racialized clergy in the United Church have a much harder time finding pulpits in which to preach and to serve than do white Caucasian clergy like me. By all accounts, Reverend Yoshioka was very well liked here. Sadly and tragically, his wife, Jean, died in childbirth near Christmastime at the age of 33. This is in the 1950s. I mean, you don't, you know, it's always a risky thing giving birth, but the cross that sits on our communion table is dedicated in honor and memory of Jean Yoshioka. [00:39:01]

I can't help but think that maybe part of the reason Wall Street, right, the history book doesn't get into it as much as I would like, but I know that there were people at the time, as this was going on, and people in the United Church who were saying, this isn't right. This is not a just thing to happen, and I can't help but wonder if that was some of the attitude of Wall Street in the 1950s. [00:40:10]

If you ever have a time when you can make life easier for someone, just do it. [00:41:28]

I'm grateful that in 1988, the Canadian government did finally apologize and offered compensation to those Japanese Canadians who had been wronged. I'm grateful that as a nation that we were able to face and acknowledge this terrible chapter in Canadian history. Of course, it would be better if it had never happened in the first place. [00:41:37]

It would be better if we treated all people with love and respect because they are created in the image of God. It wasn't that long ago. And I keep thinking we've learned, we've moved on from being terrible people. But the fact of the matter is, as a country, as humans, we keep messing up. As a Christian, I call this, we call this sin. [00:42:03]

When we don't learn from history, when we fail to live to love, God, when we fail to love one another, and to treat people with the respect that they are due as a human of God, made in the image of God, we call that sin. And as Christians, we're called to call that out. [00:42:34]

Some among us have a particular gift of being a prophet, of hearing God's word, and of not being afraid to share that with those who have power. You know, a lot of activists today are prophetic. They're the ones who name it and see it in real time. All of us with history look back and go, oh yeah, we, you know, we shouldn't have done that. But it's a gift to recognize it in real time and to have the guts to stand up and say, this isn't right. We need to do better. [00:43:01]

We all have a calling, whether, you know, not all of us maybe have that edgy, prophetic kind of gift, but we can all do something to make the world a little bit better. Remember that we're not alone. God keeps calling us. There is enough to keep us. God will, and there are more people around to help. [00:43:48]

We all have a calling, whether, you know, not all of us maybe have that edgy, prophetic kind of gift, but we can all do something to make the world a little bit better. [00:43:48]

We can all do something to make the world a little bit better. Remember that we're not alone. God keeps calling us. There is enough to keep us. God will, and there are more people around to help. [00:43:57]

Elijah finally makes it to Mount Horeb, where he's told to go. He huddles in the cave and he waits and he laments again that he's the only one, and God appears. Elijah is used to God appearing in very big ways. Just before in that showdown on Mount Carmel, God appeared with like fire on the mountain. God, Elijah's used to that. And I sort of think that God was outside the cave calling Elijah out. But Elijah's like, yeah, no, I know you, I know you've got big fire. I'm not, not coming out for the fire. Doesn't come out for the earthquake. Doesn't come out for the wind. But all of a sudden, God appears in a way that surprises Elijah. Throws him off his game. In this sheer silence, in a gentle whisper, Elijah is coaxed out of the mountain by God. [00:44:15]

And Elijah has the audacity to complain one more time. I think that's part, you know, prophets are special people. Special people. And I, you know, all of us, you know, your gift has a shadow side, right? And Elijah is, God knows Elijah's gift. He knows his weakness. He knows all about him and calls him out anyway. And then he just, he ignores the complaint. God ignores Elijah's moaning and groaning complaint and just sends him on. [00:45:25]

God knows Elijah's gift. He knows his weakness. He knows all about him and calls him out anyway. And then he just, he ignores the complaint. God ignores Elijah's moaning and groaning complaint and just sends him on. [00:45:44]

Sends him on to where there are other prophets so that he's reminded that he really isn't alone. It's not the end for Elijah. God still has a little bit more for Elijah to do. One day, not so long after this, God does call Elijah home when his work is done. And Elijah is swept up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Just amazing. But there's still more for Elijah to do. You're still here. You're still here. So God still has more for you to do. [00:46:03]

You're still here. You're still here. So God still has more for you to do. [00:46:37]

With all of your disabilities and abilities, with all your limitations and your passion and your hope, God is still calling you to make a difference. [00:46:47]

So let's go from this place. Let's especially be focused on this weekend. I hope that you celebrate this incredible country, that you give God thanks for this country, and that you continue to call all of us to be better, to be a country of love, of peace, of liberty, of goodness. Thanks be to God. [00:47:02]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does true repentance look like in national history?

How can believers respond to societal injustices today?

What is the significance of God's gentle whisper?