Crunchy Con blogger Rod Dreher was crushed last week when his 41-year-old sister Ruthie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. While the news has been devastating to his family, it has also drawn them closer in love, prompting Rod to wonder why, when life is so fragile, we insist on holding on to old hurts and differences.
In the course of thinking about reconciliation, he writes what may be the most moving Lenten reflection I’ve read that isn’t actually about Lent:
Today is a new day. Yesterday is done. Tomorrow is not promised to us. On this day, you can be reconciled to your brothers and sisters, your children, your parents, your neighbors, indeed even to your enemies. On this day, you can say the words you know in your heart you need to speak into the ears of those you love, you have loved, and that you might love again. Today is another opportunity to make it right, to turn towards the good, to let go of old hurts and resentments, to allow the hammer of repentance to crack your stony heart.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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Today is a day when you can forgive, and receive forgiveness. Today is a day to speak love and mercy. Today is a day for humility. Why not? What do you have to lose? I know it hurts — believe me, I’m trying to do this myself, and it’s hard — but what else is there? . . .
This is the day to quit thinking about it. This is the day to do it, to live it, to make it real.
Our prayers go out for Ruthie, Rod, and their entire family.
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