The Chapel of the Reconciliation was built in the area called the "death strip" along the old Berlin Wall, where East Germans frequently were shot by guards as they tried to escape into non-communist West Berlin. It is constructed of rammed earth with natural wood interior finish. The ecological considerations of the earthen construction are important to the understanding of this building, as are the social ones as well: approximately one-half of the world's population live or work in buildings constructed of earth.

We are reminded of God's commandments and Christ's interpretation of them in today's passage from Matthew 5:24 -- "Leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift."

Paul also calls to us in I Corinthians 3:9, "For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building" -- God's field, God's building...we are God's field and building, called to reconciliation with our brother and sister and with the earth.