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EXAMPLES OF RECONCILIATION: PEACE WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS (HEBREWS 12:14-17)

REFLECTION
Examples of reconciliation: Peace with our neighbours” is the theme for our reflection. Peace with our neighbours means to live in harmony with everyone. We shall reflect on the fact that to make peace with our neighbours is a cardinal Christian virtue and the mark of a true disciple of Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, the writer of Hebrews in his admonishment greatly encourages his audience to “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” (Hebrews 12:14a). According to Isaiah 9:6 Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and in John 14:27 Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Beloved in the Lord, believers or disciples of Christ share in His peace therefore wherever we find ourselves everyone must experience the divine peace of Jesus in our lives. The peace Jesus gives us is both internal and outward. If a Christian does not experience the peace of Christ in his or her life it will be impossible for him or her to share or make peace with his or her neighbours. In other words, how can we make peace with others if we are filled with anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness? Jesus made peace with the world on the Cross when He said ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Are you willing to make peace and reconcile with your neighbour or anyone who has wronged you in the past and present?

It is important to note that Jesus expects us, His disciples or believers, to always take the first step to make peace with our neighbours. It is for this reason that He said “… if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24). Again, Paul also re-echoed the same truth when he wrote to the Roman Christians, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-18,21). Dear friend in Christ, divorce rate will decrease drastically, conflicts and infighting among family members and co-workers will decline to the barest minimum, and animosity and envy among church members and people in the same neighbourhood will minimise greatly if we are determined to follow the perfect image and example of Jesus Christ in making peace with our neighbours and seeking amicable solutions to reconcile with one another. Jesus greatly encourages us to seek peace and reconciliation as the first step in resolving interpersonal issues when He said “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. ¹⁶ But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17) Dear friend in the Lord, to love, to forgive and to make peace with everyone is not an option for Christians, it is a commandment, for which failure to obey this commandment, fractures our relationship with God. It is for this reason we are greatly admonished in 1 John 4:20-21, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

In summary, we have discovered that to make peace with our neighbours is a cardinal Christian virtue and a mark of a true disciple of Christ. Let us remain focused on following the perfect example and image of Christ in demonstrating love, forgiveness and making peace with everyone.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, empower us to live at peace with all. Amen.