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Today is the Day of Reconciliation in South Africa.
The only country that dedicates a public holiday to promote social cohesion. And to celebrate our nation’s unity, following a divided past.
The verbreconcile is from the Latin wordsre, meaning “again,” and conciliar, meaning “to make friendly.”
In accountingterms, reconciliation means to compare two sets of financial records. To check that the figures are correct. To establish its completeness.
Some companies reconcile their transactions every day. It is the best practice in certain industries.
Daily reconciliation allows one to identify minor errors early. Before they become major blunders with far-reaching consequences.
In human terms, the act of reconciliation is about making one view or belief compatible with another. It is the precursor to peace.
Shouldn’t we be reconciling for more than one day a year?
Renias and I discussed a few practical steps to achieve unity – based on our journey together.
Here they are:
- Acknowledge your biases and differences of opinion. This requires robust self-assessment. An honest reflection of your most deep-seated feelings. Everyone has prejudice thoughts about other groups.
- Get uncomfortable. Be prepared to travel outside of your physical, emotional, and cultural safe zone. Have a difficult conversation. Visit their home, church, or cultural event. To fully understand takes courage. It’s often inconvenient.
- Be vulnerable. Be open to the possibility of being criticized. Freely apologise or accept an apology. Don’t allow the fear of reprisal to hinder the process. A defense strategy is an obstruction to reconciliation.
- Create clarity about your expectations and limits. Communicate what you will do to reconcile. This helps to define your position and intended actions. It frees both parties.
- Follow through. Immerse yourself in the life and culture of another person or group. Learn the language, for example. And be aware that token gestures will be interpreted as such.
Keep moving forward. It’s never perfect.
As a guiding question this Reconciliation Day ask yourself; do you want to be right, or do you want to be free?
Please comment if you have had experiences of reconciliation that you would like to share.
For more on reconciliation, read our latest book Changing a Leopard’s Spots
FAQs
Examination of Conscience – I realise that I've done wrong and feel sorry Confession – I am sorry Penance – I accept my penance and pray the Act of Sorrow Absolution – I am forgiven Resolving to Try Again – I try again In school, the children prepared for the Sacrament by discussing the good choices and bad choices ...
What are the five steps to Reconciliation? ›
Examination of Conscience – I realise that I've done wrong and feel sorry Confession – I am sorry Penance – I accept my penance and pray the Act of Sorrow Absolution – I am forgiven Resolving to Try Again – I try again In school, the children prepared for the Sacrament by discussing the good choices and bad choices ...
What are the 3 stages of Reconciliation? ›
These are all the Three Rites of Reconciliation (individual confession, communal celebration and general absolution in a communal Rite of Reconciliation) which all portray different ways in which people confess sins and are able to confess sins, not always particularly individually.
What are the 5 C's of confession? ›
Here are the "Five C's" of the Rite of Reconciliation as described by Father Paul Boudreau: Conviction, Confession, Contrition, Compensation, and Correction. These steps haven't changed no matter what you call them.
What are the basics of reconciliation? ›
Reconciliation is the process of comparing transactions and activity to supporting documentation. Further, reconciliation involves resolving any discrepancies that may have been discovered.
What are the 4 steps of reconciliation? ›
There are four primary actions in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all of which contribute in some way to the healing that takes place: confession of sin; expression of contrition or sorrow for sin; doing penance ("satisfaction"), which expresses a desire to avoid sin; and absolution from sin.
What is the first step in the reconciliation process? ›
The first step is to identify the types of reconciliations that need to be automated. This will depend on the size and complexity of your business and the volume of transactions you process.
What did Jesus teach about reconciliation? ›
The Scriptures inform us that even the offended is to take the initiative in seeking reconciliation. Again, to quote Jesus, ""If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother" (Matthew 18:15).
What is God's work of reconciliation? ›
God's reconciling mission involves the very in-breaking of the Kingdom of God, as realized through Jesus' incarnation, His life and ministry and preaching, and through His death and resurrection. God's initiative of reconciliation through Christ transforms believers into God's new creation.
How do we reconcile with God? ›
By confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing He was raised from the dead we are saved and promised eternal life. Salvation delivers us from sin and allows us to be in a relationship with God (Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9). For those who are already saved, reconciliation comes through repentance.
Reconciliation is the end of the estrangement, caused by original sin, between God and humanity. John Calvin describes reconciliation as the peace between humanity and God that results from the expiation of religious sin and the propitiation of God's wrath.
What are the 4 major parts of reconciliation? ›
There are four primary actions in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all of which contribute in some way to the healing that takes place: confession of sin; expression of contrition or sorrow for sin; doing penance ("satisfaction"), which expresses a desire to avoid sin; and absolution from sin.
What should a person do before going to reconciliation? ›
Pray for Guidance
While many people think the first step to confession is to speak with your priest, it begins before visiting your church. One of the first steps is praying before confession and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you understand the sins you have committed.
How does God reconcile broken relationships? ›
Yes he does. When you pray sincerely, God gives you ideas and strategies to restore the broken relationship (maybe a visit, gift, apology, forgiveness etc). Sometimes he prompts the heart of the other party to initiate the process that would mend or restore the relationship.
