Shared Sacredness of Tradition: Love

Zaagi’idiwin  (Love)

The eagle represents love because he has the strength to carry all of the teachings.  To feel true love is to know the Creator. Therefore, it is expected that one's first love is to be our Creator. He is the father of all children, and the giver of life. Love given to the Creator is expressed through love of oneself, and it is understood that if one cannot love oneself, it is impossible to love anyone else.

The Eagle was chosen by the Great Spirit to represent this law, as the Eagle can reach the highest out of all the creatures in bringing pure vision to the seeker. Although the supplier of the greatest and most powerful medicine, love can also be the most elusive of the teachings, as it depends upon a world that acknowledges the importance of spirituality.

During times in our lives when we feel down, unworthy, or feel a sense of inadequacy, it can be of great help to pray and remember that God sees us and loves us. The same God who created the universe also created you as a unique person. He created you in Love and continues to sustain you in Love.

When we remember this, we can feel grateful for His love for us and His presence with us. The joy that fills our heart when we experience His great love for us can be an inspiration to share this goodness with others, especially when encountering someone we might find difficult to show love to.

The Anishnaabe word Zaagi’idiwin refers to a flowing out of unconditional love between one another including all of Creation.

In his letter to the Galatians Saint Paul reminds us of the words Jesus shared, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself." (Galatians 5:14)

In John’s first Epistle he offers these words regarding loving God and loving one another, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:7-8, 16) When loving like Christ, in an unconditional way, feels difficult, we can pray for an increase of this grace from God, our Creator.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------

A prayer for an increase of Love for our Creator, others and ourselves,

Creator God, thank You for Your deep love for us and thank You for sending Your only begotten Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ to suffer on the cross for our sake, so that our sins could be forgiven and that we may live with You forever in heaven. Lord, We know that we do not warrant Your love and yet You have showered unconditional love and grace towards us through Christ, for which weIl praise and thank You.

You desire all Your children to love others as Christ loved us. Fill us with the love of Christ that we may love others in the same way that Christ loves us.

Help us demonstrate Your love, not only to those that are lovable, but also to those who lash out at us through pain or anger, disappointment or loss. May the love of Jesus be manifested in us, and be shown by grace through faith, to all with whom we come in contact.

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