Reconciliation

Who are we to be in the world today? As our news feeds are filled with commentary and numbers from the recent hurricane. Of course, we should be praying and there are even some ways to give financially to help those who are being directly impacted. But it is always difficult to know how to help when we aren’t there. Perhaps, too often, we end up just throwing money at things because that is the only way we know to help. Financial giving is a good thing, but the problem becomes when people start thinking in terms of checklists and someone thinks they can no longer concern themselves with what is going on because they already gave money to it or they said a prayer at one point. Yet, this is not the way we are called to live as Christians. So how then are we to live as Christians in a broken world?

     St. Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians calls Christians to be agents of reconciliation and “ambassadors for Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:18-20) He is speaking of humanity’s need to be reconciled to God. So, when we hear of events in the news of tragedies and wars, how then should we act as ambassadors for Christ? I think we must begin with a recognition of our common humanity. In a poem by the Anglican priest and poet John Donne, he writes:

“No man is an island,

Entire of itself;

Every man is a piece of the continent,

A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less,

As well as if a promontory were:

As well as if a manor of thy friend's

Or of thine own were.

Any man's death diminishes me,

Because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

It tolls for thee.”

     The ringing of bells when someone died was used for three reasons: to announce the death, to remind people of our own impending death, and—more superstitiously— to drive away evil spirits from the deceased. We should be saddened by the news stories we hear because the death of a person or people is, in some way, our death. At the very least, it reminds us of our mortality and need for Christ. When we recognize our shared humanity, it makes it so those who have been injured, killed, or are lost are not just a number and they are not someone remote from us. No, the death of someone else is the tolling of our own bell.

     As Christians, when confronted with our frailty and mortality, we must turn to the promises and work of Christ. I remember reading a book in my undergraduate about preaching the Gospel to yourself each day followed by a little daily devotional dealing with a different aspect of the Gospel for a month. I think these reminders are helpful for the Christian life. If we are going to seek to reconcile others to God, we better be aware of our reconciliation with God. Sometimes it is easy to forget God’s works or begin to question our faith, these are the times we need to preach to ourselves and have others proclaim Christ to us.

     How then are we to live as agents of reconciliation to a broken world? First, know that you have been reconciled to God in Christ Jesus and that in his death and resurrection, we have hope beyond the grave. Secondly, as you reflect on our common humanity, pray for the events in the world, give to those in need, and proclaim the hope of the Gospel to those who are lost and hurting. And when major events like Hurricane Helene occur, don’t let your prayer stop after one time. Surely, you would want people to pray for you if you were there. Let it be a common mention in your prayers. And, perhaps most importantly, continue to come to Mass and say the daily offices all the while remembering those who have died, are hurting, and longing for hope. This is the way that Christians join together in their prayer as the Body of Christ and participate in the redeeming work of God throughout the world. Take prayer seriously and in doing so you will take God and those whom you are praying for seriously. 

     It is proper to grieve evil and right to hope in the providence of God. These are not mutually exclusive. Our humanity ties us together and we are dependent upon one another and ultimately, we are dependent upon God. As we go throughout our week, here is a prayer attributed to St Augustine to reflect on: “Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.”

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Aaron