Shared Sacredness of Tradition: Honesty

Gwayakaadiziwin (Honesty)

Honesty is represented by either the raven or the sasquatch or bigfoot called Kitch-Sabe.  They both understand who they are and how to walk in their life. Long ago, there was a giant called Kitch-Sabe. Kitch-Sabe walked among the people to remind them to be honest to the laws of the creator and honest to each other. The highest honour 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."

Gwayakaadiziwin means to live correctly and with virtue, this is to live with integrity. To speak and act truthfully in everything.

Integrity begins with being honest with ourselves. When we know we have sinned and wish to pray and ask for God’s forgiveness, we first must take time to examine our conscience and look at ourselves, our life and our thoughts and actions to prepare for offering genuine confession and repentance. When we can be honest with ourselves, we can be honest with others and encourage them in living lives of integrity as well.Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to live lives of integrity, King Solomon writes, The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Pr 11:3) andWhoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. (Pr 10:9)

Saint Paul offers this instruction in his letter to Titus, “Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.” (Titus 2:7-8) Living life with honesty and integrity takes courage and wisdom. As we strive to live in a Christ-like way, we will find we receive graces of these gifts to help us speak and act righteously and walk upright and in truth.

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A prayer for the courage to speak, act and live in Honesty with ourselves and others,

God our Creator, thank You for Christ our Lord, Who was the perfect example of a man with a godly character and integrity of spirit. We long to be more like Jesus in our actions and attitudes. We pray that You guard our hearts, strengthen our character, teach us Your ways, uphold us with Your righteous hand and develop in us grace and integrity.

Help us be true to Your Word and righteous in all our doings. Be our help to conquer the temptations, tests and trials that will come our way, in a manner that is pleasing to You. Help us be diligent in our work, faithful in our witness, loving to those with whom we come in contact and trust You for Your right timing and direction.

Grant us Your grace so that we may speak the truth in love. Enable us to grow in sincerity and wisdom in the light of Your perfect love, so that we may be fruitful in Your service, grow in grace and be increasingly conformed into the image of Christ.

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us! Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, pray for us!