Peace of God
“Jesus doesn’t offer peace of mind. He offers the peace of reconciliation.” Diane Roth, “Living the Word,” Christian Century, March 14, 2018, p. 23.
almost straight turtle tracks. marci hixson
This response by Diane Roth to Lectionary Readings for the Second Sunday in Easter from John 20:19-31is another wake-up call for us to reconcile with those with whom we are having difficulty, loving that neighbor who is so different, loving our relatives who look at our political scene wearing a very different pair of glasses, seeing Christ in the most unlovable person with whom we work, loving those whose belief systems are the exact opposite of ours. I could go on for several more pages of examples.
A verse that haunts me that is often said at the offertory is Matthew 5:23-24, “So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister and then come and offer your gift.”
Family systems models tell us we must make every attempt to get back into relationship with any family members from whom we are estranged.
The heart of 12 step recovery is looking at the resentments we have for others, seeing our part, causing the estrangement from others, making amends, seeing how we are alike instead of seeing our differences.
These teachings are reminding us that when we cannot love our neighbor, it is hard to love God, for the God of our understanding always also lives in our neighbor as does God live in us.
This is an important message for us to share with spiritual friends. We may not be the trained person to help our friends reconcile with those with whom they are having difficulty, but we are called to share our experience that reconciliation with our neighbor is a straight pathway to the peace of God.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation are at the heart of our pathways to relationship with others and our God.
Joanna joannaseibert.com