Outdated words? Stricken, Smitten, Afflicted - Reconciliation.

A news commentator solicited electronic comments from viewers when the Health Care-Reform Reconciliation Bill was signed last week.

His request: "When was the last time you used the word 'reconciliation' in conversation?"

My first responses, in my mind was:

I am reconciled through Christ, but haven't heard the word lately or admittedly used it in daily conversation.

HEARD IT:
In reference to the Health Care Reform Bill.
Law and Order uses it in court scenes.
I reconcile my bank account.
Pastors preach about it (or should).

But, if we think about it, we do this every day. We back-up and re-state conversations to reconcile misunderstandings. We make calls to clarify billing statements to "make them right;" we excuse ourselves when we are in someone's path; or apologize when we are in the wrong (or not). We adapt, resolve, accept even more so as we experience life and learn from trials.

WOW! This really is a word unused in America, unless you are "churched," a "believer," or have faith in a power greater than you making ammends with you, or are in the court system or accounting.

Reconciliation: To rec·on·cile (rkn-sl)

v. rec·on·ciled, rec·on·cil·ing, rec·on·ciles

v.tr.

1. To reestablish a close relationship between.

2. To settle or resolve.

3. To bring (oneself) to accept: He finally reconciled himself to the change in management.

4. To make compatible or consistent: reconcile my way of thinking with yours. See Synonyms at adapt.

v.intr.

1. To reestablish a close relationship, as in marriage: The estranged couple reconciled after a year.

2. To become compatible or consistent: The figures would not reconcile.

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THE GREATEST RECONCILIATION

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
By: Thomas Kelly

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See him dying on the tree!
This is Christ, by man rejected;
Here, my soul, your Savior see.
He’s the long expected prophet,
David’s son, yet David’s Lord.
Proofs I see sufficient of it:
He’s the true and faithful Word.

Tell me, all who hear him groaning,
Was there ever grief like this?
Friends through fear his cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress;
Many hands were raised to wound him,
None would intervene to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced him
Was the stroke that justice gave.

You who think of sin but lightly
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed;
See who bears the awful load;
It’s the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man and son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation;
Here the refuge of the lost;
Christ, the rock of our salvation,
His the name of which we boast.
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded,
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on him their hope have built.

Notes:
Hymn # 116 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Geistliche Volkslieder
Tune: O Mein Jesu, Ich Muss Sterben
1^st Published in: 1850

Romans 5:10 (New International Version)

¹⁰For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

-me