Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Confession: Sacrament of Reconciliation With God and Human


    Genesis 45:1-15

“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5
 
If there were anyone in scripture who would have a legitimate reason to be bitter, Joseph would certainly be at the top of that list. Joseph had a legitimate gripe against most of his brothers. After all, he was beaten, stripped of the jacket his father gave him, and sold into slavery. However, when the time came to act, Joseph did not act out of spiteful revenge.
 
In our lives, we will undoubtedly be transgressed against. The Lord’s Prayer lays out a guideline for how we should act towards those who wrong us. As we reflect upon the theme of reconciliation, we have to take into consideration that all transgressions in this life ultimately go against God. Christ teaches us that God’s people are to act differently when dealing with confrontation. If there is an avenue for peace and mercy, then we have to explore it to its fullest. Joseph could have easily acted maliciously towards his brothers when they presented themselves to Egypt in search of food. Our human hearts might even rationalize this as a reasonable course of action.
 
When confronted with the reality of hate and dissension, Orlando Magic basketball player Jonathan Isaac decided to stand firmly on his faith. At the height of the George Floyd riots and Black Lives Matter protests, Jonathan was under pressure from society to kneel for the national anthem and wear a “Black Lives Matter” T-shirt in solidarity with his teammates. However, Jonathan decided to tread a different path. In his book Why I Stand, Jonathan goes into his decision, and he explains how healing and reconciliation comes from Jesus Christ. His decision to stand on his faith was met with both criticism and support. As believers, we will have opportunities to grasp our faith tightly in order to reconcile with others and reconcile others to God.
 
The road to real reconciliation begins at the cross. Once we understand the depth of the Father’s love for us, we can open the doors of reconciliation for others. In doing so, we open the doors of Heaven and allow others to behold Christ in all His glory.
 
 

 

Prayer
Father God, we turn to you this day with a heart of gratitude. We are undeserving of the grace that you credit to us. As you forgive each one of us, Lord, create it in us a genuine desire to be more Christ-like towards those who wrong us. Amen.
 
Thought for the Day
One glance at the cross of Jesus Christ shows us what real reconciliation between God and man looks like.


Christin Mathew
Epiphany MTC, NY

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