ENCOUNTERS

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Resources for Prayers from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday 2016

‘United in Friendship’,Sean Moore

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For the first time we have provided resources from Ash Wednesday right through to Pentecost. In our communities we can be very good at celebrating the events of Holy Week - the washing of the feet, the last supper, the crucifixion, but we are not so good at celebrating resurrection. Yet the Easter story culminates at Pentecost with the birth of the Church, followed by Trinity Sunday.

We are very aware that this material is Christian and is provided for a Christian season of the year. If you are of another faith tradition then do ‘translate’ this material in any way that corresponds to your own faith.

Introduction – What is the difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation ?

Over the next seven weeks we will be reflecting on encounters of forgiveness, followed by nine weeks on the journey of reconciliation.

Reconciliation and forgiveness are not the same.

Forgiveness only needs one person.

It is important for me, for you to forgive whether or not I am ever reconciled with the person or group with whom there has been an estrangement. Forgiveness is a process that I can embark upon myself. Obviously reconciliation would be the desired outcome, but even if it doesn’t happen, it is still very important for us to engage in the process of forgiveness. It is vital for our health and wellbeing, both individually and collectively and for the power that is released in the unseen world all about us whenever such a step is taken.

Forgiveness betokens a generosity of spirit, a heart that, even although it has been wounded and broken, can still say ‘Welcome!’ It means, if you break the word down, ‘to give something before’. It is an acknowledgement that we all form part of a common humanity, sinned against and sinning. Yet, within the grace of God, and in the mystery of relationship, that common humanity can bring its brokenness together and, in the midst of all that is not understood, can still move together in the power of forgiving love.

So in these first seven weeks comprising Lent and Holy Week we will be looking at encounters Jesus had with a very diverse humanity. In each, those encountered become more themselves as they know themselves accepted, loved, forgiven.

Reconciliation takes two.

It has something to do with giving us back to each other or maybe recognising for the first time the gift that we are to each other. It has something to do with walking together again. It is always a journey. Sometimes it can seem as if we are taking one step forwards and two steps backwards. During the weeks between Easter and Trinity Sunday we will journey with those who struggled and prayed and sought to live the resurrection modelling peace-making, inclusion, reconciliation and community.

It is our prayer that as we reflect on these encounters of forgiveness and on the journey of reconciliation, we might be encouraged and enabled to put both into practice – not only with the people who cross our path on a daily basis, but that we might deepen our encounter and our

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journeying with God himself. In doing so we will find our lives, and the life of our communities enriched, empowered and blessed.

Ruth Patterson

January 2016

How to use the material

This year Ruth Patterson has provided reflections for each week. Ruth is a Presbyterian Minister from Northern Ireland who founded Restoration Ministries. She has worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation over many years and is now the Protestant Church Leader who works with L’Arche International.

There are also contributions each week from all around the federation, all on the theme of “Encounter”. The theme was chosen as a way of helping us, in this year of learning more about forgiveness, to become aware of the unconditional loving gaze of God on each one of us.

Use the material as you will, either for personal prayer and reflection, in small groups, in community gatherings, or in daily prayers in homes, workshops or offices. Adapt them, especially in ways that make them accessible to the people in your community and to your culture (see the notes on accessibility from the Advent Prayer Resources); add to them, use only the parts that speak to you; or use them at another time of year that seems more appropriate for your community if that seems right. Use them in whatever way is life giving for you and your community.

Each week you will find:

• a reading

• a reflection on the reading by Ruth Patterson

• a story

• a suggested activity for the week

• an image

As you pray with these resources you may like to think ahead to the International Federation Meeting which will take place in 2017 in Belfast to which you may bring your own concerns, reflections and experiences about forgiveness and reconciliation.

Do give feedback on how you have used the material: hazel.bradley@larche.org

Hazel BradleyLeader – Forgiveness and Reconciliation Project

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Summary of Each Week

ENCOUNTERS OF FORGIVENESS1. 10 – 13 February A Transforming Encounter: AUSTRALIA

Luke 19: 1 - 10 Zacchaeus

2. 14 - 20 February An Encounter of Celebration: PHILIPPINES

Luke 15: 11 - 32 The Prodigal Son

3. 21 – 27 February A Reciprocal Encounter: EGYPT

John 4: 4 - 26 The Samaritan Woman

4. 28 Feb – 5 March A Challenging Encounter: ZIMBABWE

Mt. 18: 21 - 35 Forgive 70 times 7

5. 6 – 12 March A Compassionate Encounter: SWITZERLAND

John 8: 1 - 11 Woman taken in adultery

6. 13 – 19 March Encountering Forgiveness: ARGENTINA

Luke 23: 32 - 34 Father forgive them

Holy Week:

7. 20 - 26 Mar. Encountering Humility: UK

John 13: 1 - 17 Washing of the Feet

THE JOURNEY OF RECONCILIATION

Easter Week:

8. 27 Mar. - 2 April Going deeper: CANADA

John 21: 15 - 19

9. 3 - 9 April Bringing peace: HAITI

When we don’t forgive we remain behind locked doors. if you do not forgive they are not forgiven .. to be image bearers of Jesus is to be an image bearer of forgiveness

Jn. 20: 19-23

10. 10 - 16 April Modelling forgiveness: BELGIUM

Acts 7: 54 - 8: 1

11. 17 - 23 April Breaking down the walls: JAPAN

Ephesians 2: 11 - 22

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12. 24 - 30 April The gift of inclusion: ITALY

Acts 11: 1 - 18

13. 1 - 7 May Restoration: USA

Letter of Philemon

14. 8 - 14 May Love: SLOVENIA

1 Cor. 13: 1 - 7, 13

Pentecost:

15. 15 - 21 May A new beginning: The main message was forgiveness – GERMANY

Acts 2: 1 – 8

Trinity Sunday:

16. 22 - 28 May The Beloved Community:

Acts 2: 42 - 47

‘Joy’,Katarzyna Mierzwiak

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