Let’s Be Reconcilers
Friends,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us about reconciliation. When there are disagreements between family members or friends or neighbors or even nations, the way to settle these conflicts is through reconciliation. The word “reconciliation” means to restore harmony, to cause to be friendly, to reduce conflict, to reunite, to make whole. Reconciliation is a gospel value for all of us, even nations. For example: if there is a serious disagreement between brothers and sisters in a family, reconciliation is a way to make the family whole again and to reduce the tension of disagreement. If that is your case, the Gospel speaks to you to bring about reconciliation. If there is tension between neighbors, a good Christian will be reconciliatory and will work to make peace in the neighborhood. When there are serious conflicts between nations, for example Russia/Georgia/United States, it is imperative that political leaders work together to resolve these tensions and bring about a just peace through reconciliation. We have an excellent example of political reconciliation in our time. After South Africa had built up walls between its people in the system of apartheid, Nelson Mandela instituted Courts of Peace and Reconciliation. This movement brought peace to South Africa instead of a bloodbath and revenge. Fr. Emmanuel Foro is presently working on his doctoral dissertation about reconciliation in Rwanda. These are wonderful examples that peace can come through reconciliation.
Although we have almost no voice when it comes to international problems, we can be a strong voice of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation in our families and neighborhoods. We can make a difference if we hear the admonition of Jesus and be peacemakers. There is a great hymn that reflects this theme: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Jesus also said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Peace,
Fr. John Maxwell
