[Tuesday's Devotional] - The old has gone, the new is here

The old has gone, the new is here Yesterday we thought about Coventry, 'City of Peace and Reconciliation', and the origins of this claim in the story of Coventry Cathedral and its destruction in 1940.  The Cathedral's reputation as a place of 'forgiveness and reconciliation' grew over many decades.  The decision to retain the ruins of St Michaels' and to build a new Cathedral at right angles to it illustrated vividly the death of Jesus and his resurrection, his self-giving and his rising to glory. Through the years up to the consecration of the Cathedral in 1962 and in the decades which have followed, prayer and reflection on the meaning of 'reconciliation' has been constant.  St Paul's words in his second letter to the Christians in Corinth have provided a core foundation, as follows:- "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. We are, therefore, Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5.17-20 [NIV] Reflect on these verses as a central expression of the Christian faith.  Reconciliation to God is the starting point, a reconciliation which embraces our relationship with one another and with all of the created order. We live in times where there are constant calls for reconciliation, between nations, tribes, people groups and even neighbours. If you have a few minutes look at the following YouTube clip to hear comments from past Canons for Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral, including Archbishop Justin.    Richard Farnell Four Coventry Reflections on Reconciliation [7 mins 18 sec] Twitter Website Copyright © 2017 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!