The Challenge to Reconcile

With the second week of Great Lent now fully underway, the Church reminds us of our inclination toward sin. Just “moments” after they had made their offering to God for their blessings, Can and Abel found themselves in conflict, and Cain killed his brother. It was only two days ago that we each gathered in the Church to make an offering to God. How long will it be for us until we find ourselves in conflict with our spiritual brother? Or have we already been there this week?

Since our theme this week is about preparing ourselves to experience God’s energy through prayer and ascesis, today I challenge you to search out someone with whom you have a conflict. Reach out today with as personal communication as you are able and attempt to reconcile. If you did this as part of Forgiveness Sunday, or as many do during the first week of Great Lent, then you will understand just how powerful this can be. In your reconciliation, it is crucial that you fight the temptation to make even the slightest excuse. Reconciliation is not about who was right, but about healing the relationship.

As you read the passage from Genesis found below, consider how different the outcome could have been if Cain had reconciled with his brother rather than plot against him. In our conflicts, we are often tempted to plot against our brother, if even just rehearsing what nasty comebacks we can muster. We can experience God’s grace and energy when we fight that temptation, and practice words of healing and reconciliation instead. Then we can put that energy to work for our salvation. Feel free to let us know how your reconciliation went in the comment section below.

Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me this day away from the ground; and from thy face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me.” Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If any one slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him. – Genesis 4.8-15