Today’s Reflection
WORKING FOR CONFLICT transformation is hard work and takes time. Reconciliation is a journey, so we need to be committed to a journey of a lifetime. Most of the time we do not see what we hoped for, and we never know fully how our work has planted seeds or influenced events. … However, the work of conflict transformation is the most exciting and fulfilling work we can do, and working for reconciliation is our calling.
—Thomas Porter, The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of Justpeace (Upper Room Books, 2010)
Today’s Question
Where is God calling you to work for reconciliation? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
—Matthew 5:23-24 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love.
(From the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
We Are the Church… Let’s Act Like It. Journey with Linda Pevey as she discusses practical and biblical ways today’s church can truly be a transformative presence in the world. Learn more about this small group study on the book of Acts.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
10 Comments
I don’t know that I am being called to reconciliation. I surely believe God is asking me to change my heart attitude with regards to my sister, but we don’t need reconciled. Our relationship is not severed. I need a proper perspective, an air of acceptance and to be compassionate in my thoughts towards her.
Yesterday was full of goodness. Two deep and meaningful conversations, one on the phone and the other in person at a coffee shop. It is so good to see the maturity Christ is bringing about in my former student. She is blossoming herself while planting seeds and working hard on her Pre-Law degree. She already has an internship lined up for this summer, back here. It was good to get back on the court last night for tennis. Grateful that my body responded positively.
Andrea – continuing to pray for your daughter. May you continue to have a strong influence on your grandson.
Having coffee this morning with my friend who has the same diagnosis as me. We haven’t had time to talk deeply in quite a while. It will be good to re-connect. Then off to my god daughter’s game and then a late lunch with dad. Seems like another very good day.
Thank you for your prayers, Jill. I pray for you, for processing your grief, for good control of arthritis, your job and your students, and for your dear father. God bless you.
I, too, cannot think of anyone that I have a severed relationship with that needs to be reconciled. Although my relationship with h is severed, I do not need to reconcile with him as this would jeopardize my well being. I do always try to have an attitude of acceptance of others unconditionally and without prejudice.
I believe the UMC leaders should read the book this week’s Reflections are drawn from.
Prayers for Jill and her continued good health and ability to play tennis.
Prayers for Andrea and her daughter, may her daughter seek help.
Prayers for April in her new Bible quest. Prayers for BJ and her mother. Prayers for Connie, may she be well. Prayers for Lou and her new life, may she find contentment. Prayers for Mary and her mission trip. Prayers for Marcy, may she be safe. Prayers for Rick, may his school related chaos soon be calmed.
Prayers and thank you UR
Thank you Julie, for your prayers for all of us. I pray for your strength and well-being, for pain control, for a good resolution of your circumstances, and for Meghan. God bless you and Meghan.
Reconciliation: cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible.
Andrea I am thinking of you and your practice of Lectio Divina: Latin for “divine reading,” “spiritual reading,” or “holy reading” and represents a method of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and provide special spiritual insights.
I started reading Disciplines for 2020 last night and learned that it is developed this year around the practice of Lectio Divina and the former magazine Weavings. Read, meditated, pray, incorporate into my life. After just 1 night I slept well and feel more at peace. I pray for you and your daughter to be at peace. I pray that my husband and I, as parents, will be reconciled to each of our children and their families. Each child has developed their own family values as they have married and had children. When we used to visit I would still have the mother image of when they were growing up, but I have since learned that they are in-charge and I take my cues from them. I demonstrate more than speak, inviting them to think about a different way….and they of course invite me to consider different ways too. We are learning to be patient with each other, or at lease not take it too personally, let it go at the end of the day and start again.
Julie, thank you for your personalized prayers for each of us. What a gift you have to share with us.
Robert, I hear your prayers for the UMC and I ask for wisdom for those who will be casting votes.
Jill, I relate to you and your sister as I think of my relationship with my sister. We certainly are not twins, but I am learning to find peace as I reconcile with her.
To my UR family, I pray that you will be filled with the Glory Gifts from God :Joy, Love and Peace. May we find peace in reconciliation today. Blessings.
Thank you, April. I keep you and your family in my prayers. It is a continuous journey with my daughter, and yes, she is definitely in charge. God bless you.
I appreciate your prayers, thank you so much. Later in the day yesterday, my daughter texted that she regretted everything she had said. Now it seems we are back on our normal keel with our texts and photos sent back and forth through out the day. I have learned I need to respond to her from “the well” – embracing her anger with a tender heart, seeing her as someone who needs a safe fence around her anger – the fence being my rational response. I credit UR prayers and readings for this resolution. My daughter is a therapist and would not take kindly to my suggesting she see someone. In the past, I know she occasionally had a phone session with a psychotherapist she worked with when she lived in California and was getting her masters degree/licensure. I don’t know if she continues to work with that therapist. She is working full-time now and I that takes a lot of her energy.
I have really appreciated the readings on conflict and reconciliation. I don’t recall seeing this author’s work in UR reflections before. Thank you, UR.
Prayers for UR friends and visitors. May all have a blessed day.
Reconciling with my son will be a task I will try to accomplish as long as I am able. Thankfully he is taking small, safe, secure steps trying to start a business. There are many things we do together, but we also need our own space. We have ways to do this.
Prayers for Julie as I hope she and Meghan are safe and well. Glad they are able to do things together and with Julie’s Mom Delighted to read posts from Andrea. It must be quite difficult for a mental health care professional to seek care for themselves. Good news from Jill about her life, friends, family, and school. Many positives there help with this stage of life. Yes, prayers for Mary on her mission trip and Marcy’s well being. Thankful for April’s posts and support. While I wish there was no separation and reconciliation in the UMC was possible, I do think the Protocol that has been suggested will be seriously considered. It seems to allow Methodists to be Methodists in a variety of ways, a great spectrum of belief. Thankful for the UR that allows these posts and fellowship to take place.
Staying warm and dry in cold and soon to be snowy again New Hampshire. God be with you. Thank You,
Lord
Thank you, Robert. I pray for your health, for your and Erich’s relationship, for Erich’s success starting a business and your guidance supporting him, and for Anneliese’s health. God bless you.
It has been indeed a good week in Resolutions insight. I pray too the UMC will be guided by the sprit in there decision making. I can’t think of anyone at the present i need to reconcile with. I’m grateful for my work in my 12 step program and the yearly inventory process. This book will come in handy for me and my future work.
This week was a bit crazy in that some of my classes were canceled for next semester. So i had to jump through hoops to get the ones i needed and that meant changing the whole schedule. It was frustrating and time consuming. The underlying issue was the realization that we will have to move to TX, from San Diego by end of summer, For at least 2 years. Instead of pausing and asking God for help I became resistant and angry. Aka selfish, self centered and egotistical. I was finally able to sit down and spend time in Prayer and Meditation. It was later at a meeting i felt the peace rest on my shoulders. Gods got me he is in control, i just need to be willing to sit quietly in his presence and be guided by the spirit.
Jill, keeping you in prayer that you know the air of acceptance and compassion you desire with your sister. What a blessing to spend time with your former student. It sounds like you have another day of Goodness ahead.
Julie, you do indeed display an amazing sense of Compassion and acceptance.
April, I Pray you and your husband continue to grow in grace and flourish in harmony with your children.
Andrea, I Pray your relationship what your daughter and grandson continues to grow and heal.
Robert, Mary, Marcy and Lou, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings Rick
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