Do you believe in Reconciliation

“Do you believe in Reconciliation?” She asked him, as they were walking in the park on a rainy morning. He thought about what the words reconciliation, destiny, fate meant, how destiny differed from “fate”, and what reconciliation meant in her question, and asked: “Do you mean for each of us, as individuals, or for groups, like countries, or communities?”

“I meant for each of us, as small particles of the Creation”, she replied, pressing his hand.

The small stream that runs through the park was full of rushing water, as it had rained continuously for several days. The sky was grey with bulky clouds obscuring the timid sunshine. 

“Or both of us? You know I believe in destiny for a couple, people who are together grains of Creation, as you said. Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Yseult… Yes, I think the Creator sets the path, we still have choices to make, but this is not left to chance, it’s not determination, but it’s a little like choosing at a crossroad, and once we have chosen our freedom of choice becomes narrower. Then later one reflects, it was bound to be like this, or, we could not have done otherwise… and the lucky ones reconcile themselves with their destiny.”

The rose beds were now just bare earth, the garden was short of gardeners, although the park was still beautiful. Since their move to the neighbourhood they came walking here, to reflect, make plans, be together. “I asked you since I have been thinking a lot lately how much people are predetermined in what they do, in the choices they can or can’t make.”

Fate and Redemption

“Did you have a specific reason for this?” 

“Yes, things are changing fast. You read recently about Françoise d’Aubigné and the King of France. They found they could not live without each other. They had followed their destiny, until ultimately they only had themselves, or despair. They reconciled themselves with who they really were. There are plenty of counter-examples today, not just of individuals, but entire cultures. It’s like coming to the end of the road: things have run their course.”

“There is always a day after”, he said, stopping and looking at her, “Even in the worse situations, catastrophes, defeats, destiny may open new ways, changes should not be feared, providing one explores the possible, and does not attempt to force destiny in the wrong direction.”

“I am with you on this,” she replied, “perhaps this is how I feel about today, for others, not us, entire cultures appear hellbent on going the wrong way, insisting to take the wrong road, as it were.” They walked further into the wilder part of the park. The rain had stopped.

“In fact,” he said in a soft voice, “I am convinced the Creator intended to let people make mistakes, but still have a path to redemption. However, people have to decide for themselves, to continue as sinners, or follow the light. So, destiny is there, but there is still the possibility of persisting in error, for individuals, or groups, as history shows, about entire civilisations, unfortunately, whether people believe in destiny or don’t, their actual fate depends on themselves.”

Atonement

“You know, I think this is the meaning of atonement, that is reconciliation with the destiny God has set for us. I am happy we talked about this. Reconciliation, with the world, with the Creator, with one’s enemies, it’s all there, for the taking. Looking the other way is the way of the Devil. I am clear that this is what is happening, and I think also, more people are realising this.”

They’d come to the park’s entrance, the sun was out, the sky was cleared of clouds. “Do you think Françoise and Louis were redeemed?” She asked. He smiled. “I think they were, just on time. Sadly their successors refused to see the light. We know how it ended.”

She held him and kissed him.

Picture: Atonement. Detail of the Monument to Dante in Trento by Cesare Zocchi