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What they do, forgive
Forgiveness
may be the hardest task for those who would follow Christ. We are called
not only to forgive one another but to treat with compassion and mercy
those who wish us harm. It is a simple thing, in general, to forgive a
friend, to accept an apology, to overlook a moment of weakness against
the backdrop of a good relationship. It takes a different discipline entirely
to approach reconciliation without any strings attached. To forgive without
expecting a response on the part of another is how Christ has taught us
to live. It seems contrary to our human nature, but in baptism we gain
access to the divine in us, and so we are able, if we choose, to forgive
without counting the cost.
Understanding
this dimension of forgiveness places reconciliation in context. Authentic
reconciliation has less to do with matching penance to sins as it does
with justice, transformation, and community action. True reconciliation
goes beyond the rite of penance in its current form. It also sometimes
goes around it. In the day-to-day work of ministry, when we stumble and
fall, most often we turn to the person laboring alongside us. That person
is likely to understand life in the trenches, to offer support and empathy,
and to suggest, from experience, a course of action to make right what
is wrong. Reconciling at the community level poses a challenge to the rite
as well. Although we have forms for community celebrations of reconciliation,
we have no ritual means of reconciliation between communities. In fact,
we seem to have no ritual way of reconciling the very real issues between
communities within the church. So we adapt other liturgies as we try, with
limited success, to forgive each other for unkindness between progressives
and conservatives, ethnic groups, and both sides of the liturgy wars (but
rarely between clergy and laity).
This
issue of ML puts the spotlight on reconciliation. Regular columnist Paul
Turner explores the elements of reconciliation in the context of the
eucharistic liturgy. Ron Raab tells a story of healing, revelation,
and reconciliation through community anointing of the sick. Michael
Kwatera offers his insight on confession in its current form, sharing
his observations and experience with college students. Helen Keating
and I consider options and limitations of the rite of penance and reconciliation
in the church today — and what the future might hold. Bill Graham,
in the spirit of the season, comments on discernment, commitment, and continual
reformation as he discusses the spirituality of ministry. It is a fitting
conclusion to ML’s year of journey along the theme of the great commission.
This
is a time of beginnings and endings. ML bids farewell to Paul Tate,
Deanna Light, and Helen Keating with thanks for their contributions
to the Preparation Guide, Liturgy in Context, and Sacred Space. Joining
us next year as a regular columnist is frequent feature author Ron Raab.
His new column, Building Bridges, will be about connecting ministry and
liturgy, faith and life, worship and justice, prayer and everyday life,
recognizing that these connections take time and energy. This bridge of
heaven and earth is the journey for all.
We
began this year with the command to heal and preach. Throughout the year
we have used the text of “Lord, You Give the Great Commission” as a guide
to discover some of the many facets of this commission. We conclude the
year with the final stanza, calling us to forgive, to follow Christ’s example
of mercy, and to form a just society. May we forgive one another our faults
and weaknesses, that the Spirit may empower us for the challenging work
of ministry.
Lord,
you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.”
Lest
the church neglect its mission and the Gospel go unheard,
help
us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity:
With
the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Lord,
you show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive.”
Yet
we hoard as private treasure all that you so freely give.
May
your care and mercy lead us to a just society:
With
the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry. ML
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