I’m often asked how people, particularly people in The Episcopal Church, can become advocates for diversity and can be antiracists. I tell them that the first step I had to take was to look deep inside, in those places so hidden that even I had a tough time finding them. Then, I had to face all the things that I knew I had thought, done, left undone, said that were not loving, not uplifting and not edifying to my siblings who may not be part of my culture. After that, I had to repent. I had to truly come to the feet of Jesus and ask for forgiveness. I have to actively and intentionally repent daily because I mess up, or sin, all the time.

In our Book of Common Prayer, we have the Confession, and it can be a starting point for us to repent. Without my daily recognition of wrongdoing and the certainty that God loves and forgives me, I wouldn’t be able to be true to my Baptismal Covenant of striving for justice and peace among all people and respecting the dignity of every human being.

—Sandra T. Montes

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