In a world that is growing ever more fractious and fragmented today’s gospel offers an important and valuable insight. We know all too well the experience of being hurt by those we love. We’ve all experienced the breakdown of relationships that can result from that.
It can often feel impossible to get past the hurt and the damage we cause one another. Jesus offers his disciples a way of dealing with such situations. He offers a process that helps us to examine the hurt together and move towards reconciliation. He says to his disciples:
“If your sister or brother does something wrong, go and have it out with them alone, between your two selves. If they listen to you, you have won them back. If they do not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if they refuse to listen to the community, treat them like pagans or tax collectors.”
His suggestion offers hope, but allows for the possibility that the situation will not be easily resolved however well-intentioned we are. In these uncertain times we want the certainty of knowing that others agree with us and we have little patience or time to truly listen to those who don’t.
In a world of instant communication, it’s so much easier to react without taking the time to listen or understand another’s viewpoint. Such attitudes do nothing to build the trust and understanding. They don’t create the necessary conditions for our communities to become places where people can flourish.
Jesus isn’t suggesting an easy option. His process requires openness, humility and a willingness to listen attentively to views we disagree with. All of this makes us vulnerable. Yet, it is this risky process that will enable us to build the communities of love and hope that we so desperately need.
Where is Christ challenging you to seek reconciliation today?