Calvary Episcopal Church
Memphis, Tennessee
THE CHRONICLE
April 6, 2003
Vol. 48, No. 14

Beginning And Reconciliation
Trance-like the young man woke from his slumber stupor. He awoke from his little
death of sleep quietly and languorously. He stretched his body slowly and filled his
eyes with the images of the morning. Sun streamed through his parted blinds like
beams from a laser gun creating shadows on the wall in hazy patterns. A faint breeze wafted through his open window cooling his bare chest. Pleasant tunes that were nothing more than busy birds conversing about the plan of the day found their way into his ears and heart. These regular morning occurrences somehow seemed
different this day. The sun and shadows, the air so fresh to breathe, the melodies of nature seemed clear and potent. As he drank in the sensations, it occurred to him that this was a new day. Oh yes, every day is new, but this day was different. He closed his eyes and remembered the event of the previous evening. How glorious it was to be understood. To be reconciled. To be freed from the debilitating and oppressive separation between himself and the one who had always been to him closer than a brother. He tried to recall what had led to the rancor that had alienated him from his dear friend, but this morning, he simply could not remember the gruesome details that had been etched in the caverns of his heart for so long. He tried harder. "Now, what was it?" he asked himself. Nothing came. "I know I was justified in my anger. How could I forget? I'm sure it will come to me." Nothing came.

He lay still for a few more moments and felt the sheer miracle of healing. The very
explosion that had catapulted him away from the presence of his friend so many
months ago had left no trace of damage on his tender soul. What he had thought was a dreadful finale to a meaningful relationship actually led him to the point of humility and self-forgetfulness. In the absence of his greed to be right, he was freed to forgive. In the tenuous moments preceding his decision to reconcile, doubt and fear had plagued him. But, he was a courageous man. He proceeded to his friend's side feeling only a faint quiver in the depths of his soul. He could not have known then that the quiver was a silent voice, which had been growing embryonically for months within him. In one glance, one welcome, one embrace, the embryo burst forth and screamed a cry of delight. He and his friend had been invited into an expansive space. The space of love.

The Muslims have a saying, "wherever you turn, there is the face of God." We may
feel some impotence when it comes to the international conflict in Iraq, but
international conflict can only be resolved by individuals who have learned to make
peace in their own relationships. Let us begin with our families, our workplaces, our
friends. Let us not let one day go by where forgiveness is not sought, where hatred is not expelled, where anger is not redeemed by love. Tomorrow is a reflection of the goodness that is lived today.

Renee Miller+

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