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Kia Ora Koutou Katoa
Matariki brings to mind the preparing of soil to receive new seeds, it’s also the beginning of the Māori New Year.
As it says in:
Matthew 13:3-9: “Behold a Sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came to devour them up:
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
And then the sun came up and they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
And some fell among thorns; and thorns sprung up, and choked them:
But others fell on good soil and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear?”Mathew 13:37: “Jesus answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the Kingdom.”
Naa, ka whakahoki ia, ka mea ki a raatou, Ko te kairui o te purapura pai, ko te Tama aa te tangata;
Ko te maara ko te ao, ko te purapura pai, ko ngaa tamariki o te rangatiratanga.
And, sowing the good seed, whether it be seeds for the gardens, seeds of the field, and of people – if some fall by the wayside, let’s make it our responsibility to help our fellow man.
Growing up in the ‘50s to ‘60s, each family had vegetables gardens, we collected tuna, watercress, puha, harore (wild mushrooms), kereru, venison, wild pigs and eels together.
Karakia was used to plant seeds and to harvest and store all foods. We grew enough food for everyone in our valley, until Matariki came around again for the next harvest.
Our pakeke always looked to the stars for guidance, direction, and preservation of all food, and in all this time our pakeke were very aware of “te taha wairua” – as everything had essence.
Karakia was always a part of their respect for God’s creation, and it was ongoing - not just Sunday but every day. “We lived it, we talked it and we walked it”.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives it, give I unto you”.
Kia tau te Rangimarie, kia koutou, kia tatou katou
Marina Rakuraku
Moderator of Te Aka Puaho
See the Church website for Matariki resources from throughout the Church.