This week, British Columbians observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial statutory holiday for the first time. Although this day was already observed federally since 2021, the Province of BC passed legislation to make September 30th a provincial holiday earlier this year in March.
Statutory holidays influence the rhythm of our schedules and provide us opportunities to pause and reflect. They are more than just days off from work; they mark an occasion. I hope you had a meaningful time of reflection on the Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This weekend, we will observe Thanksgiving Day, which provides us an opportunity to pause and reflect on reasons to be thankful.
When God led the people of Israel over the Jordan River, he commanded them to "Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight […] When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD […] So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever" (Joshua 4:1-7).
God instructs us to mark important moments and gives us tools to remember together as a community. Israel also had holidays in their annual rhythm to collectively participate in remembrance of God’s work among them.
Whether it is raising up stones or taking time off work, our holidays help us participate in acts of communal remembrance. There is something powerful and beautiful about that. I hope we have a meaningful time of thanksgiving this weekend.
- as seen in The Delta Optimist
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