Reconciliation: Naivete or Necessity?

By David Yi

Back in my days as a staff writer for Dear Theophilus, I wrote an unpublished article dealing with the role of reconciliation within the Church. I deemed it irrelevant and even quixotic. I felt the impetus to formulate my thoughts on the matter but lacked the motivational momentum to push the message through. How quickly times have changed. If anything, we can be sure that life is but a series of vicissitudes constantly overturning what we considered irrelevant to relevant. So with this in mind, I want to share that which is in my heart.

The spirit of the Law of Moses that calls for an "eye for an eye" continues to extend its hegemony throughout the world. In the tough inner cities, street gangs often perpetuate a cycle of violence that answers perpetration with perpetration. Israel and Palestine, Pakistan and India, Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda, Serbs and Croatians: these are a few charter members included in the lengthy list of historically rooted conflicts. In a seemingly endless fashion, this carousel of retaliation spirals into an uncontrollable escalation of conflict. It seems that those who in a doughty fashion advocated the causes of non-violence or non-retaliation were silenced by the very ideals they labored against. As Martin Luther King once stated, "The old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everyone blind." We are all becoming blind.

Lately, my soul-searching has revolved around the following question: what is the role of reconciliation? Is reconciliation some sort of delusional naiveté or an absolute necessity? After the tragic events of September 11, I have been looking for dulcet tones of soothing and escape through Scripture. I look for passages of assurance, hope, and a notion that there is order in this chaotic world. I read Psalm 46, which proclaims that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Then I turn to the Beatitudes in which Christ comforts those who mourn, "for they will be comforted." For a moment, I find a warm solace in the Word and peace in a time of turmoil. Yet, an evil urging gathers storm within my soul. It is retribution. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain that those who lost a family member must be feeling. Yet, I feel a strange sense of collective rage. Let's hunt those terrorist rats, torture them, and then hang them all! All the depravity within me, that primordial state of man that yearns for retribution permeates and eventually encompasses my being. In such a state, I go to Scripture to find guidance. Yet, instead of encountering comfort, I stumble upon a greater challenge. I remember those verses that I conveniently tucked away in my lock-box of Christian living. All those inconvenient snippets of Jesus that I have cut and pasted from the Bible finally confront me.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist and evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:23-24

First strike. Ouch!

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:38-39

Second strike. Man, it's getting a bit hot in here.

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:43-44

Third strike. Conviction is indeed a painful sentiment. I realize that turning the other cheek is a difficult action. One often runs out of proverbial cheeks. Yet, I realized that it was a reactive stance. By turning one's cheek, one is merely reacting to someone else, albeit in a noble fashion. Loving your enemies requires a somewhat proactive outstretching of one's self. However, loving can mean so many things to so many people. Yet, the act of reconciliation is not an abstract concept. It is a very proactive and humbling experience. Reconciliation requires the act of approaching, of belittling one's own ego, of displaying unfaltering love in the face of hostility. Jesus commands us to reconcile our differences before worshiping at the altar. Many times, I have found myself filled to the brim with anger and bitterness while simultaneously extolling my love for God. I always believed that I could leave my troubles behind so that I could be left alone to "worship." I have learned a different lesson. "Worship" should be a messy process. All the troubles in our lives, the grief and resentment, the dysfunctional relationships and fury must be brought before God. This has been a dynamic problem in the Church. There are too many people living compartmentalized lives. "When I go to church, I will take out my Church Tupper-Ware." "When I am at home, I will open my Tupper-Ware of hate and envy." As Christians, can we propagate such a mentality?

I believe that this whole process of introspection, of dealing with my anger towards terrorists, of re-reading the commands of Christ and making it an essential component of my canonical Biblical reading and life has made me re-examine and re-commit my life. Romans 3:10 states, "There is no one righteous, not even one." Scripture reminds us that all our presumed righteousness is like filthy rags and subsequently, that the wages of sin is death. God should have punished us for our transgressions. We did not deserve our salvation from condemnation. Yet, God in His graciousness reconciled with us. He sent His only son Jesus to take our inequities and bore it on the Cross. My petty grudges against a family member or my hatred towards Bin-Laden are completely overwhelmed by the enormity of God's reconciliation. For me, that is the ultimate reminder that reconciliation with others is an absolute necessity.

The struggle continues on. My mind believes that reconciliation is all but naive. Still, my heart understands that it is a necessity towards appreciating God's grace. So as America is full of braggadocio and jingoistic tones, I am torn by my allegiance to this country and my devotion to God. I ask that we all wrestle with the notion of reconciliation. We must never underestimate the power of non-reconciliation. It is a pathogen that burrows deep into your conscience, numbs it, silences it, then eventually destroys it. There is so much reconciliation needed in the Church today. Indeed, we have an enormous task in dealing with the reality of terrorism. But let us not forgot the reconciliation that is needed in our families, amongst racial/ethnic lines, and most importantly, with God. As it is said in II Corinthians, "We pray you...be ye reconciled to God." May God bless us all.