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The Father Speaks
-
 RECONCILIATION~
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THE ONLY WAY
- By Fr. Siegfried
Binzler,SJ
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During the Season of
Lent, we all want to improve the quality of our lives in all aspects. And
thus, we repent and ask the Lord to cleanse us of our sins. The concrete
forms of repentance for every individual are different. However, there is
one common theme that we want to make the subject of deepening our faith
and stimulating our repentance during this period: RECONCILIATION.
Reconciliation is
needed to achieve true peace and togetherness, when and after
inter-individual and inter-group conflicts have occurred. Reconciliation
can only be achieved if a spirit of forgiveness among the conflicting
parties exists. No peace without justice. No peace without
forgiveness. Such is the ever-repeated message of Pope John Paul II.
Truth and justice bring peace. However, it is not enough without
forgiveness. Forgiveness allows reconciliation to bring peace based on
truth and justice.
Forgiveness and
reconciliation are not easy to be done. It is because we have to do these
after our hearts have been hurt. Perhaps some of us feel that the pains
and losses we have suffered cannot be compensated for by anything.
However, let’s not forget that we often seek forgiveness from God, whom we
hurt deeply by our sins, too. And God’s forgiveness is without limit. We
should then seek God’s help so that we can forgive those who have hurt
us also without any condition.
In the darkness of
conflicts, we are called on to contemplate with faith and realize God’s
love for us, so that we can forgive and reconcile. We can make the dark
day bright through the Light of Jesus. Jesus said, “You have heard:
love your fellowmen and hate your enemies. But I tell you: love your
enemies and pray for those who hurt you” (Matthew 4:43-44). Only
through such kind of light, forgiveness and reconciliation will happen.
Conflict situations
that require reconciliation can be found in every individual, in every
family and in every community. These conflicts eliminate peace, create
anger, unrest and worries. Reconciliation creates a new atmosphere,
namely, peace and prosperity. Forgiveness that leads towards
reconciliation does not sweep away and forget the bitter facts but it is a
commitment to create better inter-human relations, to build a better
future. Forgiveness that leads to reconciliation is a difficult task
and a long journey. But it is THE ONLY WAY. Trying to make a short-cut
is taking the road of violence…of destructiveness. The road of forgiveness
and reconciliation is also not attractive because it looks like weakness
and self-humiliation. However, this road in fact demands spiritual
strength and great moral courage. It makes us grow towards the fullness
of human life as created by God.
Let us make a new
culture of forgiveness and reconciliation by the way we live in the midst
of conflicting situations. It could be done as a personal effort, a
common effort in the family or as a collective effort, making it a
movement of renewal. Especially if there is conflict within the family,
may it be ended at this time of Lent. Let us spread the spirit of
forgiveness and reconciliation through the activities of our basic
community. Let us be the salt, the yeast and the light of the world
through forgiveness and reconciliation.
- TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has something
wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God answer your
prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet God’s
whisper?
- Have you felt His
powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday, people are
experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a pity that very
few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good News to
share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org) or fax us
(021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t have to be
a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just tell us like
it is!
- Don’t forget to write
the subject: “Let Me Tell You A
Story”
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moment to sign our guestbook.
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