We live today in a world where humanity has become alienated in various ways. The human race, which should live as if in one nest, is now seen to be destroying itself in division. Wars, communal riots, conflicts, disputes, quarrels – the forms of division continue to grow. Nations, religions, families, and individuals have become stages for division. This planet, which should be blossoming with love, is turning into a valley of tears. Human history continues to be stained by the blood of brothers. As memories of the lost paradise cast shadows of sorrow, the “heaven” that should stand as a flood of hope to brighten the future, may remain just a mirage, and this despair haunts humanity.
Where have all the links of love broken? Through sin, man created a rift in his relationship with God, the Creator. He distanced himself from his fellow human beings. He became alienated even from himself. He became estranged from the entire universe. Sin was a betrayal against God, against brothers and sisters, against oneself, and against the whole universe. Reconciliation is the movement from this division to unity, from enmity to love, from alienation to becoming “one’s own” again. Each Lenten season offers us an opportunity for reconciliation. It is a time when the divine voice echoes in our ears: “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
The word ‘reconciliation’ in English is derived from the Latin ‘reconciliatio,’ which means renewal or reconstruction. It is also related to the Latin word ‘reconciliare,’ which means to reunite, to repair, or to restore. In short, reconciliation is the recovery of a lost relationship.
Repentance, conversion, reparation, and renewal are essential components for reconciliation to reach its fullness. The essence of repentance is lamenting that one has hurt God, who is infinite love and supreme goodness, through sin. A conviction about God’s infinite mercy, thoughts about the baseness of sin, and grief about the destruction of the soul are necessary for repentance. Through the shepherd who finds the lost sheep and carries it on his shoulders, and through the father who sees his returning son, runs to embrace him, and prepares a feast for him, Jesus shows us God’s heart toward sinners. Jesus displayed a heart of compassionate love toward the sinful woman who washed his feet with tears and toward the adulteress who was brought to be stoned. Our God is mercy. He forgives and embraces the repentant sinner. The Church invites us to experience this mercy in a special way during each Lenten season. Saint Faustina, the messenger of Divine Mercy, says: “Even if the sins of all souls burdened my conscience, I would not doubt God’s mercy. With a broken heart, I would leap into that ocean of mercy.” Let not our sins discourage or destroy us. We can rely on God’s mercy.
It is the Holy Spirit who fills us with the conviction about sin and imparts the spirit of repentance. Repentance should lead us to acknowledge our sins, confess them, and ask for forgiveness. As the Word says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) As the Psalmist proclaims, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1) Therefore, let us be able to pray wholeheartedly, as David did when he repented and wept: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1)
Repentance becomes fruitful when it leads one to conversion and a new life. Conversion encompasses the abandonment of sins, the renewal of life, and the reparation of falls. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house,” when Zacchaeus declared his decision to give half of his possessions to the poor and to return fourfold anything he had obtained by fraud. Along with abandoning sin, one must also repay debts and repair failings. Reparation is possible only through supreme love. As Jesus said, “Her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much.” (Luke 7:47)
The Catechism of the Church instructs us thus: “Interior repentance gives a fundamental reorientation to our entire life. It is a return, a conversion to God with our whole heart. It is a turning away from sin, a repulsion toward the evil deeds we have committed, and an aversion to evil. At the same time, it includes hope in God’s mercy and reliance on His grace, with a desire and decision to transform one’s life. This conversion brings about salvific sorrow and pain.” (Catechism 1431)
Only God can forgive sin and properly make reparation for it. That is what we see on Calvary. The Son of God bore the sins of humanity, made reparation for them, and removed them. Forgiveness of sins became a reality. God blessed humanity with heavenly glory, beyond the paradise that humans had lost through sin. The Apostle Paul teaches: “In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting us with the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) The Holy Scripture further testifies: “Through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:20). It is through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that humanity was reconciled with God. That sacrifice is re-presented in every Holy Mass; we are renewed! Our repentance for sin should be through meditation on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. His wounds on the cross are signs of God’s love. Those wounds are a guarantee of salvation, they are the source of healing, and they are signs that proclaim the gravity of our sin. If we do not feel repentance, we should look at Jesus’ wounds on the cross; when doubts arise about God’s love, we should turn our gaze to the pierced heart. When we are tormented by suffering, our eyes should be raised there.
Acts of repentance and reparation include almsgiving, fasting, prayer, and other penitential practices. Receiving the Holy Sacraments, practicing devotions, and cultivating virtues all help us grow in grace and make our renewed life fruitful.
Just as with God, we must be reconciled with our brothers and sisters. We must restore relationships by asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness. This is necessary in family, community, and workplace settings. The renewed life should be lived following the path of justice and truth. The verse “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:24) calls attention to the need for reconciliation with one’s brother. Let us be eager to perform works of mercy. The Word reminds us, “Showing mercy is like a grain offering; giving alms is like offering a thanksgiving sacrifice. Turning away from evil pleases the Lord; renouncing injustice is an atoning sacrifice.” (Sirach 35:3-5). The Word further reminds us: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)
Therefore, with a heart full of repentance, meditating on Christ who died for us as Savior and Lord, let us step onto the path of unity. Forgetting divisions, as members of Christ’s body, let us be witnesses of love. Reconciliation is the renewal of everything in love. Only love can bring about unity. May the Lenten season be an opportunity for this.
Rev. Dr. James Kiliyananikal
