Last weekend I attended a retreat in Washington, DC sponsored by the Catholic Art Institute, a group composed of artists from all over the country. I arrived Thursday afternoon and a local woman generously took Mark Little Elk, a Native American artist from Minnesota, and me to the Botanical Gardens. Shortly after we arrived, Mark admitted that he was hungry, and he left us to grab a bite at the food truck. Monica and I wandered through desert, rainforest, and indigenous gardens clueless as to the adventurous path that Mark was taking.
A short time later, we met Mark at the car; before he buckled up, we saw a Native American man hurrying toward us. Mark got out of the car and the man hugged him. They talked briefly and the man gave Mark an eagle feather. Back in the car, he recounted that he noticed that the city was preparing for a big event – they were celebrating Indigenous Voices of America – and he had seen a circle of Native Americans on the lawn by a pool. He was on the phone with a friend, and the friend told him, “Why don’t you go tell them about Jesus?” At that point he was only thinking about his rumbling stomach, and thought, “I’m not sure they want to hear what I have to say.” But before long, the Spirit nudged him again. Mark joined the group; an elder was talking and he mentioned the name of Jesus in the Kiowa language. When that man finished, someone announced that they wanted the newcomer to share.
Mark thought, “Ok, Lord, here we go!” He used the elder man’s words about Jesus in Kiowa as an inroad to sharing his testimony. You see, Mark was raised on a reservation in South Dakota, and he experienced great hardships. He has a powerful story of Jesus’ love, compassion, and forgiveness and he shares it generously hoping others will be transformed too, but he had never imagined proclaiming it on the front lawn of the US Capitol to different tribes! Once he finished, the group began singing songs, and he slipped away to meet us. The man who had run to the car to talk to Mark told him that his message had touched his heart. There is great significance to his gifting Mark the feather. I learned that eagle feathers must be earned, and they are bestowed only for acts of bravery, valor, and courage. The large, feather-laden headdresses we see on chiefs are each earned over a lifetime of sacrifices for their community. This man gave one of his own precious eagle feathers to Mark. Mark’s courage and openness to the Spirit changed lives that day. Surely Jesus is very pleased.
Scripture: Read Acts 4:29-31. What stands out?
Call to Action: Do you talk openly to others about how Jesus is working in your life? How big might your headdress be?
