[caption id="attachment_3614" align="alignleft" width="200"] Blog by Sr. Pat Connick, OP[/caption] During the Olympics and just this past weekend, we saw the Presidents of the Koreas, Kim Jong-Un and Moon Jae-in, shake hands after 65 years of their countries’ animosity and suspicion. Many people are saying it’s too good to be true.  Lest we get hurt or taken advantage of (again) it’s better to put up defenses.  You cannot trust someone who’s hurt you THAT much or THAT deeply. On the other hand, it reminds me to look back at my own life and reflect on the reconciliations that I’ve been a part of and ask:

• “Wasn’t it awkward at first even to go to the other’s house or have them to mine? Maybe even it was awkward to meet in a public place.”
• “Weren’t the conversations difficult in the beginning and just not that comfortable?”
• “Wasn’t common ground misplaced and in need of being sought after once again?”

My sense of suspicion was a sign of the brokenness of the relationship; my desire for peace at these times a sign of hope that healing was possible. So, as often as I could I decided to stay in the process and let the remedy work on me and the other person(s).  Sure, if both of us remain the same as before, nothing will change.  But people do change…I, and they, as well. And so, I live in hope.  It may not always work out the way I want.  After all, I cannot control what the other does.  I can only be responsible for my own actions.  Yet, if I am closed to the possibility for a better relationship it will not happen.  It takes BOTH parties to participate in the risk of being hurt again.  I, for my part, will chose to be a risk-taker for peace.  And I must trust in good faith, once I’ve shaken hands with the other, that they will as well!