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Day 1: Remembering Our Own Brokenness
We must remember our own experiences of being outsiders and our capacity for sin. This remembrance fosters empathy and understanding, allowing us to see others through the lens of our shared humanity. By acknowledging our own brokenness, we can better understand and connect with those around us. This act of remembering is not about dwelling on past mistakes but about recognizing our shared human condition. It helps us to cultivate a heart of compassion and humility, which are essential for building genuine relationships and fostering peace. [58:24]

Ephesians 2:12-13 (ESV): "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like an outsider. How can this memory help you empathize with someone who feels excluded today?


Day 2: The Process of Repair
Jesus came to repair our broken relationships with God, ourselves, and others. This process often involves breaking down walls of hostility and interrupting cycles of violence. Repairing relationships is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires our active participation. It involves recognizing the barriers we have built, whether they are emotional, psychological, or spiritual, and allowing Christ to dismantle them. This process of repair is a journey of healing and reconciliation, where we actively seek to restore what has been broken. [01:00:01]

Colossians 1:20 (ESV): "And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life that needs repair. What steps can you take today to begin the process of reconciliation?


Day 3: Breaking Down Walls of Hostility
To achieve peace, we must allow Christ to break down the walls of hostility around our hearts. These walls often manifest as righteous indignation, hatred, or a sense of victimhood. Breaking them down is painful but necessary for genuine reconciliation and peace. It requires us to confront our own prejudices and biases, and to open our hearts to the transformative power of Christ's love. This act of breaking down walls is a courageous step towards healing and unity, where we move beyond our differences and embrace our shared humanity. [01:01:37]

Ephesians 2:14 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."

Reflection: What walls of hostility have you built in your heart? How can you invite Christ to help you break them down today?


Day 4: Interrupting the Cycle of Violence
Jesus' death broke the cycle of sin, violence, vengeance, and death, replacing it with a cycle of righteousness and peace. This new cycle requires us to put our relationships and priorities in right order, striving for wholeness and well-being for everyone. It calls us to reject the patterns of retaliation and embrace a life of forgiveness and grace. By interrupting the cycle of violence, we become agents of peace, actively working to create a world where love and justice prevail. [01:03:25]

Romans 12:17-18 (ESV): "Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you are tempted to retaliate. How can you choose a path of peace and forgiveness instead?


Day 5: Being "Religioned"
The concept of being "religioned" means being reconnected and rebuilt into a spiritual temple. This involves seeing each other as human beings, breaking down walls of hostility, and working towards peace and reconciliation. We are called to embody this peace in our daily interactions, becoming living examples of Christ's love and grace. Being "religioned" is about living out our faith in tangible ways, where our actions reflect the peace and unity that Christ has brought into our lives. [01:06:47]

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you embody the peace of Christ in your interactions today? What practical steps can you take to be a living example of His love and grace?