Atone

Word of the Day (10/02/25)

To make amends for something – that is, to do something good as a way of showing that you are sorry about, or have remorse for a mistake, bad behavior etc.

Has roots in idea of reconciliation and harmony.  Grew out of Middle English phrase “at on” meaning, “in harmony.”  This is reflected in current phrases like “feeling at one with nature.”  In the 16th century, it took on meaning of “to reconcile.”  Today, it predominantly means to restore damage caused by one’s own behavior.  

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Atone – a word that only exists 
because sin does.

“To make amends” – 
to do something 
as an expression of sorrow, 
that admits wrong
and seeks to set it right; 
to set things back
into harmony
with another again.

Atone.
Indeed, only necessary 
if sin and wrong
subsist
and have been
perpetuated. 

Atone is a beautiful word – 
right in the face 
of wrong – 
A restoring,
a righting of damage
rendered
by one’s own behavior.

But only necessary 
because wrong 
exists
in the first place.

How glorious
will be the day
when the need
and presence 
of atonement 
will be no more – 
will not be needed,
because it will be
once, 
and for all time, 
settled 
and satisfied!

When the sin
that created 
the demand
will be finally 
removed
as far as
the east is from the west – 

when atonement 
is a thing of history
and removed 
from present reality.

What a day 
that will be!