I am writing the message I wanted to hear today... but didn't.
I am pondering the real meaning of the word "reconciliation"... and what it should mean in terms of our current place in time.
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
Reconciliation is a loaded word, because it has several meanings...
One way to use the word is in its legal sense: re-establishing normal relations in parties that were fighting or in disagreement (think separation/divorce that didn't happen)-- the belligerent parties reconciled. We think of this as "making up"...
Another way to think of this word is theological-- reconciliation is what happens at the end of someone's estrangement from their god... it is a welcome home. This is the reconciliation many of us think of when we hear the story of the Prodigal Son, which was the gospel at my church today. It this case, the parable of the welcoming back of the wayward son was Jesus' way of describing the mercy of God. It's about love and graciousness. The father doesn't need to hear all about the son's sins and misdeeds-- he is just happy to have him home.
In Roman Catholicism, Reconciliation is a Sacrament that has historically been a way for people to unburden themselves of their sin and return to a state of grace... preparing to be able to partake of Communion. Sister Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M puts it this way:
Forgiveness comes only after you recite your list of sins, agree to suffer a bit for them, do something to make up for your offenses, give some guarantee you won't commit the same sins again, and prove yourself worthy to join the rest of us who haven't been so foolish!
Of course this practice has also been full of corruption... plenty of un-repentant people resorted to bribery in order to be absolved of sins. Priests and Bishops gladly took that money in many instances. Most Catholics I know (including myself) see it more like the story in the Prodigal Son-- it is a celebration of our return to grace. The laundry list of what we've done wrong isn't the focus.
Of course, my priest talked about the service of Reconciliation we have coming up, and how important it was. What I wanted to hear, however, was a much bigger message... this is a point in time where Reconciliation can take on world-wide meaning.
The Conclave to elect a new Pope will begin on Tuesday morning... it is a transition time for the Catholic Church. It can be a time for the Church to reconcile itself with the teachings of Christ... to return to spreading the message that Jesus intended. In my mind, the Church has some of its own atonement to do. Confessing that the very real men who make up the hierarchy of the Church are human and have sinned would be a good start... confessing that some of those men committed grave sins involving the abuse of children, of power, and of money-- a good next step. Confessing that some of these men tried to cover-up these misdeeds in order to retain power and control still another. Selecting a new Pope the begin the healing process-- someone who really believes in the social justice teachings of Jesus-- now that would be truly amazing...
And so I will wait.. and pray... as this very important decision is being made. I want my Church to turn toward home...
Peace...
Information about Reconciliation and the Story of the Prodigal Son:
Sister Sandra DeGidio's thoughts...
Wikipedia entry: Prodigal Son