Our present moment is symbolized by alienation . There is a sense of separation, a breaking down of trust, a pervading suspicion, etc., amidst communities and people.  The need of the hour is to remove hatred and enmity that pervades all social relationships.  It would not be an exaggeration to say that ‘revenge and enmity’ is the order of the day.

The Cross challenges us to be reconciled and to reconcile. The Cross  which we look up to is that which “reconciles us both to God in one body through the Cross thereby killing hostility……” Eph. 2: 16  According to St. Paul at  the Cross “  He has broken down in his flesh the dividing walls of hostility. (Vs. 14)

These simple and straight forward words of St. Paul needs no scriptural interpretation or theological discourses. The Cross removes hatred and fear by initially forgiving our own perceived and categorized enemies.  It removes  the alienation of the thief.  It formulates a new avenue of care and relationship, to those (like Mary) who became alienated because of the violence that surrounds them.  It broke the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles as the  Roman centurion who affirms  that “Jesus is the Son of God.”

The Cross of Jesus does away with hostility.  It breaks down walls that separate people.  It removes enmity.  It makes people one and thereby proclaims peace. That is the essential   nature of the Christian community. That is the nature of our work and mission.  We need to be reconciled in order to reconcile.  Our faith, our spirituality needs to be manifested in a climate where the divisions of  languages and ethnicity does not invade our community life.  Our political persuasion may be different. Our  aspirations and experiences may be different.  Our hopes and desires may be different yet,   unless we are able to rise above the dividing  walls, we cannot claim to be disciples of Christ.

We need to work with confidence and trust with our neighbouring community whether it be Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim. We need to work together with neighbouring  faiths, Buddhists, Hindus and Islam. We need to work together regardless of our political persuasions.

Let us rise up to the occasion and be decisive in our action to be reconciled and be a reconciling community in order to move beyond the conflict in our natural life.