Reconciling All Things was an instant classic when it was published in 2008. Thirteen years later, it has become only more relevant as our world and the Church has seen expressions of hostility increase.
The book is written by two co-authors, one a white Protestant American theologian, the other a Black African Catholic practitioner. They have some skin in the game!
They describe the invitation to enter into a life of reconciliation and unity as rather than “predicting a future based on the present (the rational thing to do)”, instead reshaping the present according to a vision of the future - God’s vision.
Their book predates Be the Bridge, but as we highlighted in our review of that book, so too Reconciling All Things devotes an entire chapter to “The Discipline of Lament.” Here are some highlights from one section of that chapter:
First, reconciliation without lament cheapens hope …
Second, to be deeply bothered about the way things are is itself a sign of hope …
Third, it is crucial to remember that lament is not despair or a cry into the void. Lament is a cry directed to God. Lament is prayer …
Finally, then, through lament we come to that hard place of knowing that we cannot “achieve” reconciliation. It is always a gift of God …
The book ends with ten wonderful theses on “Recovering Reconciliation as The Mission of God.” Here is one which is highly relevant to our community’s activity of Formation:
9. There is no reconciliation without conversion, the constant journey with God into a future of new people and new loyalties. … Self-interest easily becomes the goal of relationships, and loyalty to one’s own group easily becomes the aim of politics. Reconciliation thus requires a transformation of desires, habits and loyalties. …
We at Christ the Reconciler can say a hearty “Amen!” to this, and be deeply encouraged as we read this book.