Reconciliation In The Cross

This week we recognised National Reconciliation Week. The artwork created by Kabi Kabi artist Maggie Douglas, contains a chevron which is a universal symbol for moving forward. With the theme of ‘Now More Than Ever’, the artwork of Maggie Douglas encourages Australians to connect with one another with deep listening, a desire for understanding, a heart for truth telling and to move forward together.

Bianca Manning, Gomeroi woman of Common Grace in reflecting on reconciliation draws on the parallels with nature and encourages us to think of Reconciliation in the Cross. As nature recovers from bushfire, small green shoots appear as new life occurs. Green shoots called epicormic shoots begin to grow over the trunks and branches, leaving the upper branches bare and floating in the sky, resembling roots. Sometimes referred to as upside down trees, these trees remind us of the upside down nature of Jesus’ death and resurrection where “death leads to life, beauty emerges from the ashes …. and hope always persists.”  Bianca reflects on the words of Dr Aunty Jean Phillips, who reminds us that as we come together before the Cross, we are reminded of our common humanity and common need for God’s grace. It is into this space that we are called to sit together with humility, compassion and listening hearts.