Creation

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Creation

Anew   Christlike

Entrusting   Proclaiming   Transforming

The Message of Reconciliation

Righteousness

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Second Corinthians 5: 17 to 19

If you are in Christ, you are a new creation.

All that is old has passed away.

The new has come.

This comes to us from God.

We have been reconciled to God through Christ and given the ministry of reconciliation.

Our sins will not be counted against us.

We have been given the message of reconciliation.

Reflection

Have you ever thought of yourself as a new creation?

Most of us think of our original creation and give thanks for the gift of life from our parents. Life is precious and we try to make the most out of this amazing gift we have been given.

In our reading from Second Corinthians Paul is pointing us in a different direction. Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we have been given a new gift of life, a new creation. Jesus has come to fill us with grace. He invites us to proclaim a new message.

It is the message of reconciliation. God comes to us offering forgiveness so that we can put our old ways behind us and start anew. 

So many times, we are crippled by our past. We talk about people who are stuck at a certain point in life and who have never moved forward. A painful memory, a frightening encounter, or a family tragedy can paralyze us.

Jesus comes to us in these situations with a message: I want to embrace you with My Grace and fill you with new life. I don't want to see you burdened by your past. I have come to reconcile you to God and to lead you in a new direction. 

This process of reconciliation leads to our transformation. We gradually realize that the past cannot limit us. Jesus wants to heal those old wounds and pour new life into us.

As beautiful and awesome as our original creation was for us, our new creation in Jesus is even more filling. It is a grace that will always be with us and that will help us bring the message of reconciliation to everyone. 

We will feel the righteousness of God deep within. It is a new beginning. 

Creation time is here and now!

1. What do you feel as you ponder your creation?

2. How is Jesus offering you personally a new creation?

3. Why is forgiveness so important for starting anew and healing the wounds of the past?

4. Are you ready for a new beginning with Jesus?

5. What do you experience as you meditate on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)