[:en]BE AT PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER
On the last day of the US Civil War, officer Joshua Chamberlain was in command of the Union army. His soldiers lined up on both sides of the road that the Confederate Army had to march down in surrender. One wrong word or one belligerant act and the longed-for peace could be turned to slaughter. The brilliant act of Chamberlain ordered his troops to salute their foe! No taunting here, no vicious works – only guns in salute and swords raised to honor. (Randy Kilgore)
If a salute can make armies whole again, the power of Christ’s grace can also be reflected through our love and forgiveness towards others. Scripture gave evidence of this in Esau’s reconciliation with his deceitful brother (Gen. 33:4), in Zacchaaaaaaeus’s joyful penance (Luke 19:1-10) and in the picture of a father racing to greet his prodigal son.
Let us set aside all bitterness and dispute and let the power of forgiveness heal our relationships. Be courageous to end all conflicts through God’s grace.[:]