"The best laid plans o' mice an' men gang aft aglay". Rev. Robert Sears explains...and presents his (re) recorded sermon for Sunday, September 10, on behalf of the Anglican Parish of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. May it bless your day. 
Readings for Sunday, September 10-2023:
Exodus 12: 1-14
Psalm 149
Romans 13: 8-14
The Gospel of Matthew 18: 15-20
Of his sermon, Rev. Robert writes:
"I begin by contrasting two very general perspectives on the world we live in: the constrained; and the unconstrained view. How valuable reconciliation is stands out if many problems of life are ultimately intractable and we can only ever make things a bit better (constrained view) without ever making them perfect (unconstrained view)."I suggest that there are two steps to reconciliation: compassion and absolution. The former is unilateral and unconditional. The later is reciprocal and conditional. And since reconciliation requires a reciprocal exchange between two individuals involved in a real or perceived transgression or shortfall, compassion is not enough, unconditional positive regard is not enough, affirmation alone is not enough."The Gospel focuses only whether the two parties talk to one another. Talking is essential, but not enough. I suggest that in conversation the two parties need to agree on what happened, on some possible shared distribution of fault (between the two parties), and more especially the terms that would in fact restore the relationship."Reconciliation can sound easy, but there is a level of seriousness and engagement that is not the common run of things."
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