Monday, 10 November, 2003

We begin with pieces from “Ethics” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.



Today’s reading picks up from last Friday so we begin with the reading from Friday:

There is a spurious activity of (humanity) which is itself a judgment, and there is also, astonishingly enough, a judgment which is true activity of (humanity), that is to say, a “judging” which springs from the achievement of union with the origin, with Jesus Christ. There is a “knowing” which arises from the knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Reconciler… This judgment and this knowledge spring from unity, not from disunion. They therefore create not further disunion, but reconciliation. Jesus Christ’s judgment consisted precisely in His having come not to condemn but to save; “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world” (John 3:19. cf. verses 17 & 18), and likewise (people) who are reconciled with God and (humanity) in Christ will judge all things, as (people) who do not judge, and will know all things as (people) who do not know good and evil.

Their judgment will consist in brotherly/sisterly help, in lifting up the falling and in showing the way to the straying, in exhortation and in consolation (Gal.6; Matt.18.15ff.), and also, if the need arises, in a temporary suspension of fellowship, but in such a manner that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 5.5). It will be a judgment of reconciliation and not of disunion, a judgment by not judging, a judgment which is the act of reconciliation. No longer knowing good and evil, but knowing Christ as origin and as reconciliation, (humanity) will know all.



This makes for a long introductory reading but I thought it was important to tie the two together because we are told of the shape of the judgment we make in the community of Christ. It is always to create – return to – union. “A judgment of reconciliation” – what a wonderful blending of images for us to remember as we look to the Christ of God in our life together. Among us, we know Christ, Jesus, and that will be enough to create new life and heal any brokenness and disunity. But when we hold on to our what we say is the knowledge of good and evil, we give up our knowledge of Jesus as Lord for we have already picked the lord of our life and there is no more room for the merciful and gracious, Lord, Jesus.



Connection: This really is a whole new life we are invited to enter today as followers of Jesus. The old is gone…the new is breaking in…already. Reconciliation is now the substance of our day together.



Lord, lead us into the hopeful journey of your Reign of peace and healing and resurrection so that we may experience the joy of your love and share with those around us that love you share with us. Amen.