Mary’s purpose was our conversion

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-20;6:1 (The ministry of reconciliation)

Portion of The Conversion of Saul on the Road to Damascus by Michelangelo (1475-1564)So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God… Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Reflection:

There was a new priest who came to a parish. It was his first sermon and it was great and they were all talking about it all week. So the next Sunday the parishioners were packed into the church. The new pastor got up, and guess what, he gave the very same sermon. And well, alright, that didn't in initially faze anybody. They said, “Oh, that's understandable. There were people who weren't here last Sunday so it was good he gave the same one. But on the third, fourth and fifth Sunday, he gave the very same one!

That was a little too much, so two old ladies in tennis shoes were delegated by a few parishioners to go back into the sacristy after Mass but they were very diplomatic about it. One of them said, "Father, that's a very good sermon." And he said, "Thank you very much, I'm delighted. Thanks for telling me." One lady added: "We were just wondering though, Father if you knew that you were giving the same sermon each Sunday." The priest responded: "Oh, yes, I know that."

The lady continued: “Well, we were just wondering if you have other sermons?" The priest responded: "Oh, I have a whole lot more." "We wonder if you will be giving the other sermons some time? We want to be able to tell our friends, Father, when will you be doing that?" And he said, "Oh, I'll be going on to the next sermon as soon as I see you doing something about the first one." (From 150 Stories for Preachers and Teachers, by Jack McArdle, Columba Press, Dublin, 1990, p. 23, no. 24.)

Reconciliation is change. What usually comes to mind when we hear the word reconciliation is that two people, or two parties, who had once been friends and have become alienated, have now renewed their former relationship and are friends once more.

St. Paul goes to the root of that renewal event and uses a word for reconciliation which means essentially "to change." Before the friends can come together again something has to happen within them to bring reconciliation about. In human relationships this can happen through talking and listening, through explanations of past actions as well as through seeking forgiveness from the injured party.

At La Salette, Our Lady clearly had change in mind. The great news is that her people has to submit in order to be reconciled with God. This kind of reconciliation is a gift that can only come from him. The initiative is his, this is why she speaks in her Son's name. But as often happens between true friends who have quarreled and have renewed their friendship, the new relationship will deepen, become more intimate. This is the promise of La Salette.