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'Swamy reminds us constantly that true reconciliation is a journey into otherness' JUSTIN WELBY
Global in scope, but homing in on the role ordinary people play in conflict and division, Reconciliation (The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2019) enables Christians to engage confidently in a ministry bequeathed to us by Christ himself.
The book issues a vibrant call to the church to support and strengthen relationships amongst church members; to cross borders to build connections with different denominations, and to maintain open attitudes towards our neighbours from other religions and ideologies.
Forty biblically-based meditations introduce topics such as Impediments to reconciliation, risking the self, humility and self-criticism, radical openness to the other and peace with justice. Questions for reflection are included, making Reconciliation suitable for use at weekly gatherings or for everyday devotion during Lent.
'A thoroughly biblical guide to reconciliation - its passions and problems, its complexity and utter cruciality. Dr Swamy offers new angles on old stories, prophetic messages, and a gospel wisdom on becoming people of peace.'
PROFESSOR DAVID F. FORD, University of Cambridge
Preface xi
How to use this book xiv
1 The ministry of reconciliation 1
2 God has reconciled with us - the foundations
of reconciliation 8
1 Relationships and reconciliation: the heart of
Christian life 10
2 God, the creator of relationships 15
3 Jesus Christ: reconciling us with God and with one
another 19
4 Holy Spirit, the reconciler 22
5 The Church: reconciliation within and reconciliation
in the world 26
3 Impediments to reconciliation 30
6 Passing on the blame to others: different from the
'original' sin? 31
7 Prejudice and stereotyping 34
8 Wealth, greed and conflict 37
9 Being silent when we have to speak and act 41
10 Rushing to judge 46
11 Revenge after reconciliation! 49
12 When someone says sorry 53
4 Risking the self 56
13 'Let your servant remain as a slave!' 58
14 'Blot me out of the book that you have written!' 62
15 'If he owes you anything, charge that to my account' 66
16 The courageous little girl 69
17 'If I perish, I perish!' 72
18 A friend who risked himself for his friend 75
19 'Not my will, but yours be done!' 78
5 Humility and self-criticism 82
20 Learning self-criticism from the antagonists 84
21 Am I God? A study in contrast 88
22 Who is my neighbour? 93
23 'She is more in the right than I!' 97
24 The king who humbled himself 101
25 Be a servant: a way to build relationships 105
26 The problem with those who claim they see 108
6 Radical openness to the other 112
27 Initiating reconciliation in hostile contexts 115
28 A lesson in radical openness 119
29 Peter and Cornelius 124
30 The lost son who distanced himself from his own 127
31 Ruth: 'Your people are my people' 131
32 Becoming friends: Jesus' way 135
33 Learning to see God on the other side! 139
7 Reconciliation as peace with justice 143
34 Peace with God, justice to fellow humans 146
35 Peace expects justice 151
36 When justice is not done 155
37 Restoration and reconciliation 158
38 Fear, magnanimity and justice 162
39 To forgive is to do justice 165
40 Reconciliation only with God? 169