Resourcing Reconciliation

Reconciliation doesn’t happen all by itself; it takes hard work, much prayer and perseverance. However, there are 4 major building blocks in this healing process: remembering, narrating, forgiving and moving on. "Reconciliation is the most radical form of healing" - Msgr. Michael Buckley

Remembering

We reconnect with our stories - We reflect on their present impact - We choose a new reaction

Narrating

An essential ingredient in the reconciliation process is the need to tell our story in our own way.
In order for us to do this we need the other person to give us the gifts of hospitality, dialogue and active listening.   Hospitality is the welcome environment in which I am invited to unfold my story.   But for reconciliation to be achieved it also requires dialogue and dialogue is impossible without listening.

Forgiving

Jesus was an outrageous forgiver. He forgave Peter who denied him 3 times; he forgave the woman caught in adultery and he forgave from the cross when there was no repenting perpetrator in sight. He taught us in his own prayer to forgive in order to be forgiven and he told parables of forgiveness such as the Prodigal Son.

Have you forgiven those who held you as prisoner of war? Then it seems they still have you in prison.

Moving On

Reconciliation is not only about healing broken relationships it is about moving on into newness of life even if we cannot fix what is broken.