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So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-20
My sister and I are good friends. When we were little kids we shared a room, played together, had the same neighborhood friends, gave each other back rubs and covered for each other. We also fought and broke several commandments against each other. We could be mean, selfish, and hurtful towards each other.
When we did so, and if my mother was aware of it, she would make us apologize to each other. Through our anger we would mumble “sorry”. But my mother insisted that we “say it like you mean it!” She said we had to speak our way into feeling sorry and would make us say it until it sounded genuine. She told us “You may still not really feel sorry, but you have to act towards each other as if you are, so that when we gather at the family dinner table tonight, we are all together.”
When we repent, even half-heartedly, when we forgive, even half-heartedly, we act out the grace and mercy that we also have received at THE table. We don’t become one, we recognize that we ARE one at the table of Christ Jesus.
As a church we have forgiveness to offer, and as we are becoming more and more aware, we have repentance to offer, to many who we’ve harmed. Likewise, as individuals and in our congregations the same is true. Even though it may not be easy, and even if you don’t quite feel like it yet, don’t procrastinate in this labor.
So that when we gather round the table, we will all be there together in love.
With you at the table,
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