Date: Saturday, March 14th 
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
By Sandy Strauss, Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach, PA Council of Churches
Wikipedia defines reconciliation as “the end of the estrangement, caused by original sin, between God and humanity.” Paul, the first real Christian theologian, appears to have placed reconciliation at the center of his writings, and this passage from 2 Corinthians is a prime example. It’s interesting that the term reconciliation never actually appears in the gospels, though Jesus’ ministry was all about reconciliation, and Paul appears to recognize it.
Jesus sought to bring those he encountered into right relationship with God and neighbor. Take Zacchaeus, the “wee little” tax collector who profited from the Roman’s oppressive taxation on occupied Jewish communities. Jesus called Zacchaeus down from his tree perch, announcing his intention to stay with him, despite grumbling from the crowds who despised tax collectors and thought Jesus was wrong for associating with him. Zacchaeus, who recognized what Jesus was doing, then voluntarily announced that he would give half of his wealth to the poor, and would restore fourfold to anyone he had defrauded. In that action, Jesus helped Zacchaeus to be reconciled with both God and his neighbors—unlike the wealthy man who walked away when Jesus told him that obeying the law meant sharing his riches with the poor.
Paul understands that reconciliation must extend beyond God and us as individuals, just as Jesus demonstrated. Indeed, in the following verses Paul elaborates by saying that God is “entrusting the message of reconciliation to us,” calling on us to be “ambassadors for Christ.” Are not our neighbors in prison, as people created in the image of God, deserving of love—and deserving of reconciliation? As people of God, and for Christians called to be “ambassadors for Christ,” we should think of prisons as places of reconciliation, not simply punishment. God still loves persons in prison, regardless of what they may have done, and we must do likewise. We are called to work toward seeking restoration, reconciliation, and right relationship with God and neighbor for our brothers and sisters in prison. Unless we do so, we ourselves cannot claim to be right with God.
Prayer: God of love and reconciliation, guide me to love all of my neighbors, including those in prison. Remind me that you call your people to work for restoration and reconciliation for our incarcerated neighbors that we all might reflect your face of love and peace in the world. Amen
Criminal Justice Fact: In PA the county jail population has increased over 260% since 1980 despite a decline in overall crime rates.
Action: Watch the 2016 Netflix documentary 13th which analyzes the growth in US prisons. Discuss what you learned with friends.
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