Chaplain

Reconciliation is core to the Christian faith. The entire biblical story is about God bringing humanity back into relationship with him and healing the breach in that relationship. As a country we are reflecting, this week, on the call to reconciliation with the Indigenous community.

The indigenous community asks all Australians to seek to understand their worldview and ancient culture. I have read and strongly recommend “Dark Emu” by Bruce Pascoe as one way to begin to understand the period of European settlement with more open eyes. The Indigenous Australians have called us all to hear the hard truths of the past that have been hidden, lied about or ignored by the general community. Truth telling is difficult as we recognise the past and continuing pain and sometimes our unwitting contribution to it.

Truth telling and seeking reconciliation holds great reward. It allows us to diagnose the problems, it helps us understand the issues, have empathy and a commitment to see broken relationships healed. As those past injustices are acknowledged and addressed the future becomes better with the possibility of every citizen feeling valued, cared for and a member of a harmonious community. When such deep scars are treated, we as a nation will have a brighter future.

I see similar patterns of reconciliation in the bible. The bible makes clear that there is a breach of trust between humanity, indeed individuals and God. This is often coined as sin, however it is easier to see our own part when we understand it is a rejection of God and his way. The consequence of this is a broken relationship and a broken world. There is some truth telling to think about here. God was not willing to let us go, his love for us runs too deep as he longs to have authentic relationships with us. He graciously became human himself. Jesus, the human incarnation of God, lived in our world and then died as the means or doorway to allow us to reengage with God.

Reconciliation requires more than God providing a means, it is a two-party process. We need to open that door, to recognise the broken relationship and have a desire to make it right for reconciliation to work. The reward is rich. A deep abiding love, his presence in all of our life, his wisdom to guide us and an eternity of peace and goodness to anticipate and enjoy.

I encourage you today to think about reconciliation at a national, community and personal level.

God Bless

Ms Bronwyn Lihou
Senior Campus Chaplain
blihou@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133

Ms Fiona McKenzie
Junior Campus Chaplain
fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022