The humanizing effect of reconciliation

Morning: Psalm 50; Exodus 34:1-17; I Thessalonians 2:13-20

Evening: Psalms 114, 115; Matthew 5:21-26

Murder is a terrible act of violence ... but it does not come out of the blue. There is a violence of the mind and heart that nurtures anger towards another; there is a violence of speech that damages another’s dignity; there is a violence of contempt towards another that demeans their humanity. All this violence is inherently deadly, because it dehumanizes and devalues life. The astounding thing about Jesus’ teaching on this is that if someone treats you with such violence, it is you who should seek reconciliation with them! For to return violence for violence dehumanizes you more.