Reconciliation St.Michael's Cathedral Coventry

'Reconciliation (originally named Reunion) is a sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos.

Originally created in 1977 and entitled Reunion, it depicted a man and woman embracing each other ].^[1] In May 1998 it was presented to University of Bradford as a memorial to the University's first Vice-Chancellor Professor Ted Edwards.^[2]De Vasconcellos said:^[1]

"The sculpture was originally conceived in the aftermath of the War. Europe was in shock, people were stunned. I read in a newspaper about a woman who crossed Europe on foot to find her husband, and I was so moved that I made the sculpture. Then I thought that it wasn't only about the reunion of two people but hopefully a reunion of nations which had been fighting." (Wikipedia)

For myself personally, in listening to the Queen's speech at the time, I thought of my mother coming to England from Athens in Greece where she was born. She came to  London to study to assist healing. She later married my father who was also born from a mixed heritage. The

 marriage united Greece, Spain, France, Luxembourg and England. With her mother's family from Smyrna - now Izmir,Turkey, her  family three generations before lived in Egypt My brother and mothers sister both had their children in America. 

 God has married lands and people together for his plan. 

It is written in the Holy Bible of Land being married

You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah: for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4

In all the generations of wars where people have been moved from one land to another, people are also uniting together in love and marriage. And in the gradual breaking down of the barriers of division, unity and peace becomes possible, with love.

In this year, I have spent time with a lady who is devastated because he son has married outside of her culture and religion. She says she will never forgive and blocked to understand God's Plan for our lives. The new wife is born from parents from China. Providence reveals the divine plan for peace between peoples endures...even if we cannot see.

In a materialistic world, it is easier to forget that we are here for a far greater purpose. While we are living in a physical body, our soul is not our physical body. Our being is not a physical body - Our body houses our soul. There are people who have been born, evolved souls, who have a purpose knowingly guided and  being instruments to a higher calling. This calling is not for selfish or possessive reasons. The focus to unite humanity in peace is never lost. It is also sadly when family is broken apart, this highlights the need in this generation

There is an ancient saying, when a law is set in stone, it is unbreakable. A law that is written and given by God is unchangeable. The situation of this statue being placed in St Michaels Cathedral in Coventry is with a reminder that where there is conflict, prayer might be the necessary way that two people can unite and resolve their differences, nations too.

Peace be with you

Pauline Maria

No copyright infringement intended

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconciliation_(Josefina_de_Vasconcellos)