“This is a special gift you are to offer…” said Ezekiel the prophet. Then he rambles on about offering measured ephahs, homers of wheat, and grain offerings. About throwing blood on the doorposts and corners of the temple. To be honest, Ezekiel nearly loses my attention talking about unknowns, things that are unfamiliar. But I could figure out the “special gifts” offered were for making atonement, to be one with God, Love. So I kept reading and pondering.

The special gift offered is to make atonement.

An atonement is an apology, or compensation, or making amends for wrong done in the past.

Thing is, I don’t know anyone who follows Ezekiel’s physical format. Does this mean people have stopped making an atonement?

No.

Despite religious theology and dogma, religious literature has preserved the integrity of the message, by adapting to extensive changes in society. New customs and practices are still advancing the message of at-one-ment with God.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provides a 12-step program for alcoholics overcoming the addiction. The sixth through eight steps read, “We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”

The AA steps go on in more detail, but the heart of the process relates to atonement, and is as effective today as it was 2,600 years ago in Ezekiel’s era.

The integrity of the atonement message overlaps into all areas of life. If we eat too much, we can stop ourselves, admit that the overindulgence was not from God and put a sign (written in ink, not blood) on the refrigerator telling us to go for a walk, instead of snack.

Basically, the new custom has not diluted the power or truth of atonement.

I was interested to continue reading in the Bible about collective atonement. Ezekiel went on to discuss taking, “A young bull without defect and purify the sanctuary.”

Not many of my friends have a young bull, or even an old bull, in their backyard. I certainly don’t. So what do I do?

It was the “without defect” that spoke to me. I figured that the only thing I have that is without defect is from God. Patience, forgiveness, courage, flexibility.

To atone, I can offer spotless patience, forgiveness, courage, and flexibility to all people. It benefits not only me, but the collective society. And that is a special gift.