Part of the Tapestry

All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. -2 Corinthians 5:18 CEB

In the Vatican Museum, there are several beautiful tapestries, some of which used to cover the Sistine Chapel. Perhaps the most famous is The Resurrection of Christ. These works of art are so detailed that it’s easy to forget that they’re woven from tiny strands of wool thread. The Resurrection of Christ is so life like that the eye appears to follow the viewer.

I think it is interesting that these tapestries are woven from wool, the material we acquire from sheep. It is as if each little sheep has contributed a little bit of themselves to God’s plan. The Good Shepherd invites us to be woven into the tapestry of reconciliation.

But, what exactly is reconciliation?

The Methodist tradition recognizes that the world is both beautifully made and badly broken. The ties that bound humanity to God are tattered. The threads that connect neighbor to neighbor are terribly frayed by the power of sin. It is as if all creation is a beautiful tapestry, shredded by pain and suffering. 

This tapestry can only be restored through the process of reconciliation. Jesus entered into the world as the means by which we are all reconciled to God. Jesus is like the master weaver. He moves needle and thread in and out of the broken seams, putting the world back together again.

We are called to be instruments of reconciliation. We are called to be sharp needles and strong thread guided by the hand of the master weaver. God asks us to move back and forth in relationship with one another, putting the tapestry back together again.

The work of reconciliation is perhaps best captured by the words attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, and I’ve taken some liberties here:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sew love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Amen.