Examen - 14 2025
Transcript
Today’s examen focusses on the themes of peace and reconciliation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “There can be no peace in the world unless there's justice, and there can be no justice without peace.” Justice, of course, has to do with things being in right relationship, and ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. Restoring justice, then, is about reconciling relationships which have been either broken or distorted. Reconciliation, in other words, is a prerequisite to justice and to peace.
Someone who embodied this dynamic was the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa during the final years of apartheid, he knew firsthand how injustice can stand in the way of reconciliation and peace. He also knew the power of reconciliation to restore these things. In going about this, he also emphasized that wrongs must be called out and atoned for as a prerequisite to reconciliation and peace. He once said that reconciliation then “is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing.” This is why peace and reconciliation are hard work: they require us to take a long hard look at the realities around us and recognize where we need to change in order to come to a place of healing and peace.
Today, I invite you into a place where we can all take this look at our reality and then make a resolution to do what is necessary to more fully become people of peace and reconciliation.
I’d like to invite you to get comfortable and acknowledge of the presence of God holding, loving, and creating you at this very moment (pause 10 seconds).
I now invite you to think about your day. Who were your messengers of peace, or perhaps: what people, places, or activities embodied a sense of peace where you felt most authentically yourself, and most authentically alive? (pause 10 seconds). Consider further, was reconciliation and forgiveness a part of your life today? In the world around you, as stressful as it can be these days especially, did you encounter any people or situations which reminded you of the beauty and freedom which comes from forgiveness and reconciliation? Think of encounters you had at work, on campus, or perhaps just simply random acts of compassionate presence you saw on the el, the shuttle, or as you went about your daily routine. (Pause 10 seconds).
Next, acknowledge those places in your day which were not marked by peace or which are in need of reconciliation and forgiveness. Perhaps we need to forgive ourselves for past mistakes which lock us into patterns of guilt and imposter syndrome? Maybe we need to forgive a loved one who has hurt us so that we are freed from the burden of anger and resentment? Perhaps we need to forgive a colleague, boss, roommate, teacher, or companion who has wronged us? Or maybe we are being invited to have a difficult conversation with one of these people, expressing our need to be treated justly so that both parties can enter into a process of reconciliation leading to peace? (Pause 10 seconds).
Now return to those moments of peace and connection you identified a few moments ago. Savor them. Allow yourself to feel what you felt in that moment.
What do you feel? (Pause 10 seconds).
Basking in the glow of those positive and peaceful feelings, ask God for the grace to be a person of reconciliation, being ever attentive of where God is inviting you to be a messenger of reconciliation and restoration to right-relationship.
Resolve to always be a person of reconciliation moving forward, and to savor and appreciate the gift of peace this will bring.
As our prayer ends, I’d invite you to say a prayer which is meaningful to you as you conclude this time of examen. (Pause 10 seconds).
Amen.
November 14, 2025
Examen: Peace and Reconciliation
SUMMARY: This examen helps us identify how God is inviting us to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation in the world around us.
PRESENTER: Derrick Witherington, Associate Director, Campus Ministry; Adjunct Faculty, Department of Theology.
Transcript
Today’s examen focusses on the themes of peace and reconciliation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “There can be no peace in the world unless there's justice, and there can be no justice without peace.” Justice, of course, has to do with things being in right relationship, and ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. Restoring justice, then, is about reconciling relationships which have been either broken or distorted. Reconciliation, in other words, is a prerequisite to justice and to peace.
Someone who embodied this dynamic was the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa during the final years of apartheid, he knew firsthand how injustice can stand in the way of reconciliation and peace. He also knew the power of reconciliation to restore these things. In going about this, he also emphasized that wrongs must be called out and atoned for as a prerequisite to reconciliation and peace. He once said that reconciliation then “is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing.” This is why peace and reconciliation are hard work: they require us to take a long hard look at the realities around us and recognize where we need to change in order to come to a place of healing and peace.
Today, I invite you into a place where we can all take this look at our reality and then make a resolution to do what is necessary to more fully become people of peace and reconciliation.
I’d like to invite you to get comfortable and acknowledge of the presence of God holding, loving, and creating you at this very moment (pause 10 seconds).
I now invite you to think about your day. Who were your messengers of peace, or perhaps: what people, places, or activities embodied a sense of peace where you felt most authentically yourself, and most authentically alive? (pause 10 seconds). Consider further, was reconciliation and forgiveness a part of your life today? In the world around you, as stressful as it can be these days especially, did you encounter any people or situations which reminded you of the beauty and freedom which comes from forgiveness and reconciliation? Think of encounters you had at work, on campus, or perhaps just simply random acts of compassionate presence you saw on the el, the shuttle, or as you went about your daily routine. (Pause 10 seconds).
Next, acknowledge those places in your day which were not marked by peace or which are in need of reconciliation and forgiveness. Perhaps we need to forgive ourselves for past mistakes which lock us into patterns of guilt and imposter syndrome? Maybe we need to forgive a loved one who has hurt us so that we are freed from the burden of anger and resentment? Perhaps we need to forgive a colleague, boss, roommate, teacher, or companion who has wronged us? Or maybe we are being invited to have a difficult conversation with one of these people, expressing our need to be treated justly so that both parties can enter into a process of reconciliation leading to peace? (Pause 10 seconds).
Now return to those moments of peace and connection you identified a few moments ago. Savor them. Allow yourself to feel what you felt in that moment.
What do you feel? (Pause 10 seconds).
Basking in the glow of those positive and peaceful feelings, ask God for the grace to be a person of reconciliation, being ever attentive of where God is inviting you to be a messenger of reconciliation and restoration to right-relationship.
Resolve to always be a person of reconciliation moving forward, and to savor and appreciate the gift of peace this will bring.
As our prayer ends, I’d invite you to say a prayer which is meaningful to you as you conclude this time of examen. (Pause 10 seconds).
Amen.