-- Read by the Governor General of New Zealand at the 50th anniversary celebration of VJ Day, at Wellington Cathedral, Wellington NZ

     Reconciliation begins with forgiveness-
           when the question of who was right and who was wrong 
           ceases to matter. 
     Reconciliation blossoms 
           when we look into the eyes of those who were our enemies 
           and recognize ourselves. 
      Reconciliation has a chance 
           when difference is not challenged but celebrated; 
           when what we have in common becomes more exciting 
                 than telling over in loud self-righteous certainty 
                 the points on which we disagree. 
      Reconciliation becomes a living reality 
           when people of all nations, with their unique perspectives 
                 and particular points of view, 
                 work together for justice and liberation for all people; 
           when the limits of our compassion are the outer boundaries 
                 of all that we know and understand, 
                 all that we dream of and imagine. 
      But in the end, we will be truly reconciled 
           when you are as important to me as I am to myself.