Why a Hike for Reconciliation?
A Message from RS CEO, Fr. Justin Mathews
Thank you for joining us on the RS Hike for Reconciliation! Your presence means a lot as we hike, learn, remember, reflect, and reconcile together.
By tracing the outline of the eastern edge of the former Rev. James A. Porter Plantation where upwards of 100 African people were enslaved between 1833-1865, our urban hike aims to shed light on the unjust and grave pain and separation inflicted by the forced removal of the Osage Indians, slavery, disinvestment, and the reality of racism across the 200-year history of Troost Avenue.
Troost is not just a historic dividing line in our city, but a line running through all of our hearts -- the truth is we all have someone who we consider “other” who lives on the other side of that line. I call reconciliation “hard heart work” -- work that is hard to do, and that requires us to work on the hardest places in our hearts. This is life-long and sacred work as we seek to be reconciled with God, with ourselves, with our past, and with each other.
Our intention is to firmly seek reconciliation by honestly acknowledging history - the good and the horrific - with the hope we can learn each other's family stories and the impact of this history on our lives, creating an opportunity to build new relationships across dividing lines, and learn to walk together.
An Orthodox Christian elder once said, “My heart has only entrances. It does not have exits. Whoever enters in, remains there no matter what he does, I love him the same as I loved him then when he first entered my heart. I pray for him and seek his salvation.”
This is a picture of a forgiving heart, a heart we all need in order to cultivate reconciliation. What would your life look like if your heart had no exits? What if from this day, from this hour, from this very minute we earnestly sought to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves, especially those most in need, like the 3,500 men, women and children who come to RS annually for life saving help because of historical and generational trauma and poverty?
Amidst all the changes happening around Troost Avenue, reconciling with one another and reducing the struggle of our neighbors must be our top priority. We can heal our wounds but only together, one person and one family at a time. In today's world especially, the call for healing, reconciliation and peacemaking is more vital than ever.
Thank you again for joining us for the Hike for Reconciliation. Soon we will break bread in the new Thelma’s Kitchen and lift up our community from our newly renovated building at 31st and Troost Avenue, opening in early 2024!
With Gratitude,
Fr. Justin Mathews