Reconciliation

Gospel: Matthew 5: 20-26

Throughout the Scriptures we find that the ministry of reconciliation is the primary work of a disciple: reconciliation with God, reconciliation with others.  In fact, we are instructed not to offer any gift at all upon the altar until we are first reconciled with one another.  This reconciliation is not some mere ritual or vicarious action; it is to be a real encounter with another where reconciliation takes place.  

We hear much about the "new evangelization" which has come to mean a series of media empires on TV, radio, and computers where an array of programming takes place to reach people.  It is entirely virtual - no real encounter with another person face to face ever takes place.  It is entirely antiseptic, suburban, and comfortable.  It is everything Jesus did not do.  

If we are to be ministers of reconciliation in our world, we must directly encounter people where they are at.  We can't do that in our hermetically sealed mutual admiration societies and church groups.  It must be done in uncomfortable places: on the streets, in hospital rooms, prison cells, homeless shelters and soup kitchens.  Consider where Jesus met other people, how he undertook encounters of reconciliation, and there we must be in our world.