Our Reconciliation Journey

This past week, (March 20-26) students from both our German speaking and English-speaking communities embarked on a journey of Reconciliation. Reconciliation requires a certain amount of exercise. We can only reconcile when we become aware of the guilt (or wrong doings) we have towards another.These children examined and reflected on their actions and behavior in various areas of life, such as family, their free time, school, the environment, and they were faced with the question of our relationship with God.

Path Of Reconciliation

Last Monday, two of our Catechism teachers, Eva Camenzind and Shannon Poltera set up an impressive Path of Reconciliation. It was left standing for the entire week, and during this time, the children could walk this path with a family member or trusted friend. This Path began with a labyrinth in front of the church and ended with their First Confession and a space for reflection afterward. In between there were stations for reflection and contemplation. The feedback from parents and the children and even my own impressions were very positive. The journey of the children with their parents was a deep and touching experience. Naturally the children were a little nervous during their First Confession but they all did very well. I must honestly say that I too am a little nervous before each confession. After all, who can easily and freely speak to another about their weaknesses, their dark side, their brokenness, or sins?

Dear Brothers and Sisters

But what is sin anyway? In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we can read, “A sin is a word, deed, or intention by which man deliberately and voluntarily offends against the true order of things, as God’s loving providence has arranged them”. In other words, sin weakens the bond of love between people and between God. It confuses our thoughts, can leads us to make unwise choices, it can cause us to become lonely, and we lose our focus. At the start of their journey of Reconciliation, the children were allowed to bring a stone which they had selected with them. They would carry this stone with them on the Path of Reconciliation as a symbol of their sins. The questions at the Stations they visited were meant to help them reflect on their lives and conscience. At the end of their journey, I met with the children as they made their First Confession.

Do We Need Confession?

But what is the goal of confession? Is it still necessary? Do you believe that Is confession a tool from God or even from the Church used to make people feel small and incur guilt? Today's Readings (John 11:1-45) give an impressive answer to this question.

The prophet Ezekiel speaks of God's will: "I will put my spirit in you that you may live." (Ezekiel 37:12-14)

Now, let me return to the stones. As human beings, we might say, "My small offenses are not that bad. On the grand scale, I don't cheat and I haven’t killed anyone. So, I think I am okay." But friends, it is the many small things can lead to great things, both good and bad. The biggest part of the bad things, end in death. In our Gospel reading, we are confronted with the death of Lazarus, who was a close friend of Jesus.

Jesus is shaken and angry about this last enemy, death, which destroys and ends life, which (has the power to) destroys our relationship with God and our fellow human beings. In the beginning of this Mass, I mentioned this fear of our mortality. What can we do to reverse it? Only our faith, hope, and love, can. For we believe: No one can be so lost in the realm of death that God cannot call them back to life. We believe this because JESUS HIMSELF is the resurrection and the life. Lazarus is the first witness of this divine love through Jesus Christ, which can overcome death. Christ Jesus comes to heal and raise up all that is wounded and broken.

Yes, We Need Confession!

Let me return now to the topic of Confession: Confession is not a punishment from God nor is it a tool of torture. It is an invitation from God to remove the unnecessary stones from our life in order to relieve us and help us to live. The goal of Confession is reconciliation, healing, motivation, inspiration, and love. It is a gift from God to us for our salvation.

In resurrecting Lazarus, Jesus suggests that God works in ways that go beyond the boundaries of our perceptions and HE comes through to us in ways that we cannot imagine.

I wish all of us blessed final days of the season of Lent.