2 Corinthians 5:14-20
In the 1492 Ireland, the
Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare were involved in a dispute over the
coveted post of Lord Deputy. The dispute escalated to a skirmish between the
powerful families. One day when the
FitzGeralds attacked the Butlers, the Butlers took refuge in a place called the
Chapter House at St. Patrick’s Cathderal. The FitzGeralds followed the Butlers
to the Chapter House and, much to the surprise of all, their leader Gerald FitzGerald asked the Butlers to come out and make peace.
The Butlers did not believe him and they refused, afraid they would be
slaughtered.
Since the Butlers would
not believe his words, Gerald FitzGerlad, ordered that a hole be made in the door.
He then bravely put his arm through the hole and offered his arm in peace to
the Butlers. Someone shook Gerald’s hand then the Butlers came out and the
families made peace.
If you were to visit St.
Patrick’s Cathedral you can see the door* – it is called ‘The Door of
Reconciliation’. Also, from this occurrence came the expression ‘to chance your arm”. It means ‘take a
chance’ especially when reaching out to someone in reconciliation.
Dear
brother and sister and Christ: many believe that when Jesus says, “ I
am the door”(John 10:9) it just means that Jesus is the way to heaven. But
the full verse is “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will
go in and out and find pasture. ”(John 10:9) So what does this “in
and out” mean? While our salvation is foremost, God sent Jesus to
reconcile sinners like you and me to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18). And
then He sends us out into the word to reconcile and live with others. The
Psalmist also teaches it is “good and pleasant it is when brothers
dwell in unity!”(Psalm 133:1) So our reconciliation is with our
God and with others.
Therefore, let’s thank God that He
reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and gives us new life and gives us the
right to call Him “Abba! Father!” Let’s also love our brothers and sisters
because “ we know that we have passed out of death into life,
because we love the brothers.” (1 John 3:14) In addition, during this Lenten season, can
I be bold to request you to ‘chance your arm’?
Abba! Father! I thank you for drawing
me in through your Son’s sacrifice. I ask you to help me humble myself to reach
out to the brother and sister as you send me out into the world. Give me
strength and humility to reconcile with the many I wronged and the few who
wronged me. In Jesus name I ask. Amen.
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butler%E2%80%93FitzGerald_dispute#/media/File:Doorreconciliation.jpg
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