Christian Aid: Talking Climate Justice Lent Devotional March 19 - 25
Week 4: Reconciliation
What is the role of forgiveness?
Hope and challenge
Creator God,
beginning and end of all things,
we bring to you our brokenness.
We have not loved our neighbour as ourselves,
we have not loved the earth as ourselves.
Help us see humanity in all we encounter,
help us to repair our relationships.
As you reconcile all to yourself
through the work of your Son,
help us to be people of reconciliation.
Amen.
Reconciliation
From the very moment in Genesis when humanity’s relationship with God is broken, we see God on
a mission to bring us into reconciled relationship. Time and again we see the story repeated
of those far off being brought close.
Through Jesus, not only are we provided with a way to be reconciled to God, but also to one
another and the whole of creation.
Forgiveness is critical for reconciliation – the forgiveness offered by the one who has been hurt,
and the forgiveness being sought by the perpetrator. The act of forgiveness provides the possibility
for the perpetrator to be transformed and take a new path.
The hurt of loss and damage from the climate crisis is experienced in many ways. Families can lose
loved ones in intensive flooding or communities can be lost as people are forced to seek housing
and livelihoods elsewhere due to persistent drought.
In acknowledging our own part in climate breakdown, and in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation
to all of creation, we must also be able to see such potential in others. What would it mean for us
to see the potential of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation for our world leaders who have
ignored climate threats, the fossil fuel industry and big polluters?
Repairing relationships
Bob Kikuyu, Christian Aid’s Global Theological Advisor, reflects on reconciliation when it comes
to the loss and damage caused by the climate emergency.
‘When reconciliation is pursued, we can repair our relationships with fellow humans.
The loss and damage caused by the climate crisis is a matter of justice, where some
have not been considerate of others in their actions.
‘Reconciliation gives us a pathway to the restoration of relationships. Reconciliation
allows us to talk with each other and find ways and means in which the harm is
acknowledged without cause for further division. But more than anything else,
reconciliation opens the door for those communities aspiring to do justice to walk
in solidarity with the common goal of being reconciled with creation and healing
with creation.’ Reconciliation requires us to see where we have gone wrong, as individuals, communities and
humanity. We need to see the injustice of the systems we have created that have caused harm
to people and planet, to ask for forgiveness and to seek ways actively to pursue justice.
Read these Bible passages
Colossians 1:15-20
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
Ephesians 4.32
Reflect and talk
1. Where have you seen examples of reconciliation?
This could be in your own life, your community or around the world.
2. Reconciliation requires acknowledgement of truth, forgiveness and seeing the potential for
transformation in the person who has done wrong.
When it comes to the climate crisis, who needs to acknowledge truth, and who needs
to offer forgiveness?
3. Where do you see opportunities for your church to be reconciled with all of creation?
How would you practically go about this?
Invite and act
Reconciliation is active, so take one idea from your conversation to actively pursue reconciliation.
The practice of Communion is one way in which we remember that we are reconciled to God,
and have the capacity to be reconciled to one another. This week, share Communion together
as a group.
Closing prayer
Jesus, in bread and in wine,
you remind us of body and blood.
Broken and bruised,
you take on wounded creation.
It is finished.
In sacrifice and death you give us life,
redemption and reconciliation,
to God,
to one another,
to the earth.
This is love.
Root in us your deep love.
Amen.