Campus Ministries: Catholic Ministries

BE RECONCIED!

It has not received the headlines it should. Good news seldom does. Yet, almost unheralded, a sensational miracle of reconciliation has been unfolding in South Africa. It has not been easy or trouble free. But, after centuries of oppression and apartheid, torture and murder, blacks and whites have been coming to grips with their painful past, and working together to build a common future.

If ever a people had the right to seek, if not vengeance, then at least the just punishment of those who have perpetrated barbaric atrocities against them, it is the black people of South Africa. But, under the stately leadership of a moral giant, Nobel Peace Prize winner, former prisoner now President Nelson Mandela, South Africans have decided that there is something even more important than justice, namely, reconciliation.

With a largeness of heart perhaps unparalleled in history, South Africa established, not a Truth and Justice Commission to investigate and punish, but rather a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to uncover and heal. Wisely guided by another Nobel peace laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, this Commission has listened while both the perpetrators and the victims of past political crimes have reversed decades of disinformation and fear, to finally speak the truth. "The truth will set you free (Jn 8:32)." Facing the truth, setting the national record straight, acknowledging as a people the enormity and savagery of generations of injustice and violence, is liberating the soul of South Africa. Reconciliation has begun.

Most remarkably of all, those who have confessed their crimes truthfully--whether it be the beating to death of the charismatic black leader Steve Biko or of the white American volunteer Amy Biehl --have been granted immunity from prosecution. Letting go of vindictiveness has been a supreme spiritual sacrifice for racism's countless victims. Such forgiveness is truly divine.

South Africa is modeling the way God forgives us. It is not always possible for past injustices to be adequately redressed. With God, as with South Africa, truth and reconciliation are more important than just punishment.

We will never be able to make up to God for our offenses. But we do not have to; God is not vindictive. Mercifully, our relationship with God is based not on justice, but on compassion. But not even God can heal us, unless we are willing to face up to the pain our sins cause. It's the truth that sets us free. We need to confess our sins truthfully. We need to turn away from sin and to God, in order to be reconciled with God and our neighbor.

Miracles of reconciliation might not grab the headlines, but they are the work of God's hand. May God continue to bless the noble people of South Africa in their great quest for national reconciliation. And may God bless each of us with the nobility of spirit to let God perform miracles of healing in us. Be reconciled!

Ronald Stanley, O.P.

COMMANDED TO LOVE?

FORGIVE!  ...AND FORGET?

EVERYONE HAS THEIR STORY

SALT OF THE EARTH

TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE

ASHAMED OF YOUR FEELINGS?

HATE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU HATE YOURSELF

YOU GOT AN ATTITUDE?

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

 

[ return to top ]