Mercy,
A Chance
for Life

Instruments of Reconciliation

Day 5 : Thursday, week 1

Unity and Reconciliation

Mary’s presence with the disciples gathered in the Upper Room also suggests that her concern was to gather together and reconcile rather than divide and condemn … to gestate new life rather than to manipulate persons and things; to denounce the dominative use of power, the greed and desire for display that are so prevalent in this age. No easy task.

Within our Church there exist conflicts of all kinds concerning values and theological positions that are irreconcilable. Reconciliation between women and the men who hold power in the Church, who make decisions for women’s lives without consulting their experience is an urgent challenge. The rhetoric in Church documents about women’s equality with men continues to raise eyebrows as to what equality really means in everyday life in the Church.

Pope Francis acknowledges the indispensable contribution of women to Church and society. Stating that the presence of women must be guaranteed in the workplace, he underlines the need to create a more incisive female presence in the Church. … Based on the firm conviction that men and women are equal in dignity, the presence of women must also be guaranteed where important decisions are made, both in the Church and in social structures. (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel #’s 103, 104)

Reflection

• How can I work with others to foster amiable relations of equality in my family, my Christian community, my work situation …?
• What education is necessary for our children, boys and girls, to help them recognize the indispensable place of every person in society?

Prayer