More Than Forgiving

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

 “More Than Forgiving”

19 June 2016 St. Andrew’s Military Chapel Singapore

            I have to admit, it’s been hard sorting through all the things this passage has forced me to wrestle with. Reconciliation is such a hard and complex topic I don’t think anyone fully grasps all that word entails. I’m going to try, but be gracious with me and let today be a conversation starter in how we individually and collectively seek to move towards the costly grace found in reconciliation.

            A few weeks ago, we explored the idea of forgiveness and how hard it can be to forgive someone as well as how hard accepting forgiveness can be for us. Using the bishop from Les Miserables as an example we saw how forgiveness is where someone gives something of themselves to give us back to God. Not only that but that each of us individually has the power to forgive on behalf of the whole community. It is powerful to look someone in the eyes and boldly proclaim, “In the name of Christ you are forgiven.”

            I think we are all agreed on how difficult it is to forgive someone. Well, Paul just upped the stakes dramatically. He is now telling us that we are to engage in the ministry of reconciliation because God has reconciled us to him through Christ. So what in the world is reconciliation and what might that look like?

            Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same. Forgiveness is a gift of mercy and grace given to one individual or group to another. A gift of grace not bestowed by merit. Nowadays we tend to view forgiveness as the end of the conflict and once we have offered or received forgiveness then our role is complete. However, it seems that forgiveness is a necessary first step in reconciliation.

           

            Reconciliation is a process, a journey in which individuals are transformed. Forgiveness doesn’t change behavior. It may heal wounds and serve as a public declaration of grace bestowed, but forgiving someone isn’t necessarily a transformative act. An initiator of transformation and a much necessary step down the road, but it is not transformative by itself.

            It seems that we want to conflate the two terms because offering forgiveness is easy and allows us to take the high road. If we are the ones in a position to offer forgiveness and we choose that option then we look to the world as the morally superior, dare I say righteous, party in the disagreement or conflict.

            And it’s understandable for us to stop at forgiveness. Because true reconciliation is messy and takes time. Those working towards reconciliation are neck deep in the muck and mire of life and rarely see the fruit of their labor. For the end point of a journey towards reconciliation is the peace of God’s new creation where we are all made new. It is Christ’s peaceable Kingdom which we may never see in our lifetime. It is a journey into lament of individuals and groups of people, listening to painful and heart breaking stories. But it is one of learning a new imagination and seeing conversion and change in small measure.

            I don’t have the full answer on how reconciliation plays out in our lives, nor do the so-called experts on reconciliation. Because, frankly it will look different depending on the communities and parties involved in the effort. It’s a God sized concept that we’ll probably never fully grasp or understand on this side of eternity. However, we can find glimpses to guide us on the journey of reconciliation.

            In 1948 South Africa elected a government that began the process of dividing people based on their race and passing laws that allowed the minority whites to exercise dominion over the majority black population. For almost 50 years Apartheid was the way of life for those living in South Africa. Then, through the work and influence of people such as Nelson Mandela world opinion turned against South Africa and negotiations began around 1990 to end Apartheid. In 1994, the first open elections were held with Mandiba becoming the Prime Minster.

            Part of the end of Apartheid was the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. An imaginative and graceful idea to bring the country together by allowing those who were harmed during Apartheid to share their stories while allowing those perpetrating human rights abuses in the name of Apartheid as well as in the name of liberation a chance to offer a public apology and request amnesty for their deeds.

            The TRC, like any human institution and attempt to reconcile people with God, had its flaws. There is debate as to its effectiveness and whether or not justice is required before reconciliation. However, those debates don’t change the fact that this was a sharp contrast to the typical victor’s justice we saw in Nuremberg. It was restorative justice with a goal of changing persons instead of mere punishment.

            A few weeks before I began seminary I participated in a wonderful program the seminary offered to entering students. For a week we got to know each other through community service. We met many different organizations in the area introducing us to the many religious organizations helping the community in which we would all live. We also got to meet individuals that told us different parts of the community’s story. And that’s how I met Ann Atwater.

            Like many blacks in the South in the early 20^th century, Ann had a tough life full of challenges. She eventually was introduced to an organization called Operation Breakthrough and was hired by them to participate in what we now call community organizing. One of her focus areas was in improving the respect and dignity blacks received from government organizations. Ann is a force of nature and was good at her job.

            In 1971 she was asked to co-chair in a group tasked to help integrate the Durham school system. It was there that she was paired with C.P. Ellis, the other co-chair. C.P. was the Exalted Grand Cyclops of the Durham KKK and had made it his mission to keep everything segregated. Ann knew of C.P. and initially turned down the offer to work with him. It’s a good thing she finally agreed to co-chair the committee.

            Through the course of their work together, Ann and C.P. realized they had a great deal more in common than in opposition. They both were working in their own way to help the poor of their communities. Their thinking changed. They became dear friends. Hearing Ann tell the story, you see the love she shared for a man she once resented. To top it off, C.P. was so changed that he left the KKK. He was reconciled to Ann, his community, and most importantly God.

            Paul calls us to the ministry of reconciliation because we are Christ’s ambassadors on earth and are called to be reconciled with each other and God. As I reflected on this passage and the meaning of reconciliation a few places in which we might participate in this important ministry were laid on my heart.

            Our location in the world here in Singapore rightly places us on a porch looking out at one of the global hubs of trafficking people. We can begin to learn about the issue and reach out to organizations that assist in stopping this problem. We can develop a relationship with these organizations and the people who have made it out to let them know the church values them and loves them as beloved children of God. It will take time, effort and sacrifice, but Paul never says its easy.

            Last week as we were gathering here in worship, someone walked into a nightclub in Orlando and opened fire killing 49 people. A horrific tragedy by any definition of the word. As the nation sat horrified and in grief over what had just transpired, a number of religious leaders qualified their statements of sympathy because the Pulse is a gay nightclub. The sexual identity and habits of those killed does not change the fact they too are beloved children of God. If there is any community in the US that the church needs to seek reconciliation it is the LGBT community.

            In the aftermath of the shooting we have seen some glimpses of reconciliation. Chick-Fil-A stores opening on Sunday to feed those donating blood, 8 hour waits for the last few days to donate blood to help the victims, calls for legislators to take another look at the blood donation requirements so those in the LGBT community can donate blood to their partners, and the outrage from church leaders to comments that this was judgment and towards those that qualify their sympathy. However, it is up to us to continue the long journey of reconciliation and not let these just be politically expedient words and actions. 

            Many of you may know Jen Hatmaker. As one much better with words than I shall ever find myself, she offered a way for the church to take an honest first step towards reconciliation with a community we have historically ignored at best and wholly rejected at worst. I offer her words for us to reflect on and I personally feel she says what is on my heart to everyone I know and love in the LGBT community.

“Call your gay friend, neighbor, daughter, college roommate, son, coworker, church member, brother - call them voice to voice, or even better, face to face where you can put loving arms around them and say:

"This was unspeakable. This was horrible. This was unconscionable. I see this evil and I condemn it fully. I will sit right here and grieve with you. We will not gloss this over or forget. You might feel unsafe or insecure or scared today, and I want you to know you are not alone. I love you and I stand by you."

            A first step in establishing a relationship with a community we as a global church haven’t shown much love to over the years. A first step towards reconciliation with that community and with God. A step on a long journey that will change our lives.