The DNA of Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.  –2 Corinthians 5:18

I have spent the last two days at the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation’s 9^thannual Reconciliation in America National Symposium here in Tulsa.  This year’s theme was “The DNA of Reconciliation.”  This is my second year attending the Symposium. I’ve been saying that last year, I learned so much, I needed to come back and learn more!

The Symposium happens each year over the anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which was the worst single act of racial violence in this country’s history.  Tulsa did not begin to come to terms with this horrific violence until 1996, seventy-five years after it happened.  The massacre was not spoken of in white families, nor in many African-American families.  Before 1996, many people who had grown up in Tulsa didn’t even know it had happened. 

The Symposium brings together a broad spectrum of people from government, education, the arts, religion, community organizations and concerned citizens to learn together, share wisdom with one another, think together about our work at bridge building and provoke one another to action.  It provides opportunities for networking and relationship building.  People come to this event from Tulsa, other parts of Oklahoma and across the nation.  

The path toward reconciliation has not been an easy one, and the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation has played a large role in that ongoing journey.  Tulsa still has a long way to go.  Racism is still real and palpable here.  Systemic racism continues to privilege some and oppress others. But, I think this community has also come a long way to build bridges of reconciliation and understanding.  Our Mayor and city are working on developing equity measures and launching a “Resilient Tulsa Strategy” to make Tulsa as equitable as it can be.  The religious community works together to bring people together and take positive actions to address ongoing problems and concerns.  

For the second year I was awed and humbled by the amazing people I met at the Symposium.  It was inspiring to meet people who are living “ministers of reconciliation” in this community in whatever field of work they pursue, who love this community and all the people who live here, and who are committed to working at reconciliation in spite of the significant obstacles that still lie ahead.  I look forward to continue to learn, and to act, and to join my brother and sister Tulsans in these efforts.  I encourage you to look for similar opportunities in the communities where you live (or to continue the work you are already doing) to bring reconciliation to God’s broken world.  As followers of Jesus Christ, I think this is exactly what we are called to be doing. After all, it’s the least we can do to thank God for the reconciliation God has already given us.

Peace,

Bishop Mike.

PS:  Next year’s John Hope Franklin Reconciliation in America National Symposium will be held May 29-31, 2019 here in Tulsa.  Put it on your calendars, and check out the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation website:  jhfcenter.org  to learn more about their work.  I plan to be there!