Mercy,
A Chance
for Life

Instruments of Reconciliation

Day 6 : Friday, week 1

Dialogue, The Heart of Reconciliation

We all need to take time to talk with one another if reconciliation is to become a reality. Margaret Wheatley writing about ‘conversations’ says: Listening moves us closer. It helps us become more whole, healthier, and more holy. … Listening creates a relationship. We move closer to one another.

It is important then that we make time for conversations where we can let go of our agendas to listen to the dreams, the joys, the pains, the fears carried in our hearts. These deep conversations become priorities as we carry out our mission as a maternal Church. Over time, we will learn to appreciate the differences among members and understand their reasons for holding different theological positions. We will come to appreciate that there are many ways to express the centrality of faith in Jesus in our lives. We are confident that one day, gifts of the Spirit—and not gender—will call forth men and women into Servant-Leadership in the Church.

Being instruments of reconciliation is to share in Mary’s work of gathering all together “into one heart and one mind” (Acts 4:32). We can rejoice with one another that “leading a life worthy of the calling to which we had been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3) is the heart of our call to assist God in the ministry of forgiveness, healing and reconciliation. We are partners in this one mission.

Reflection

• Am I comfortable with people who have different positions than me on the meaning of God, Jesus, Eucharist, Church OR do I gather only with those who think like me?

St. Paul says: “make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).

• What impact does this statement have on me with regards to my relationships?
• In our world filled with religious and political conflicts, do I believe a culture of dialogue, conversations of the heart, have a chance to bridge differences, build peaceful co-existence?

My personal prayer…