Twelve Steps for Progressive Christians
Step 9
Matthew 5:23-24
Step 9: Make direct amends to people wherever possible except when to do so would injure them or others.
One of the things I have gained a greater appreciation for in this series using the twelve steps for modeling a progressive Christian life is the careful and methodical way to restore relationship and create new community. Each step we have looked at over the last eight weeks has taken us ever closer to authentic wholeness and community. Last Wednesday, Rev. Robyn used the 8th step as a way to think about the areas of our lives that need restoration and repair. Step nine is a hard step – the discipline of justice. In the 12 step program it’s called making amends. Justice occurs when we recognize something is not right in the world and we do something to correct that situation. It can be personal, communal or global in scope. It is a difficult thing to go to someone whom you have harmed and make amends. That is why so much preparation is put into the process ahead of that action. Making amends involves more than just an apology. It is about a change in behavior. In theological language, we call this change repentance. It is an essential step in healing a broken relationship. It is not a guarantee that a relationship will be healed, but without it there is virtually no possibility of healing. Healing a relationship is bringing justice to that relationship. This step is important also because it shows a move away from harm and a move towards honoring the worth of the other person in the relationship. Think about it. What is it that causes the most harm for which we need to make amends? Things can be replaced. Money can be repaid. What hurts most is when someone we love doesn’t value us enough to treat us with respect and care.
Matthew’s gospel reminds us that even doing holy work like worship or Christian service doesn’t exempt us from doing justice with our neighbor. Even if you are in the middle of worship – a good priority to have in our lives – if you remember something left undone with another person, leave your offering at the altar and go make amends. Why is this so important? Because being a Christian is about the quality of person we are. Being a quality person means owning the brokenness that our lives have, valuing the people who are part of our lives and living our relationship justly.
Source:
http://www.nacronline.com/ National Association for Christians in Recovery