This week’s Gospel is about community. It explores various dimensions of this theme: reconciliation, friendship, decision making and how God is present in our ‘togetherness’.
Today, we reflect upon the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. Conflict seems to be inevitable in human communities. We have different perspectives, values and desires. When we choose to live together, these differences can rub up against each other and cause friction.
How do we respond to these differences and conflicts? Often, we
allow wounded relationships to fester because we are too afraid to confront some or other issue that we have with another person. Jesus invites us to face them honestly and strive for forgiveness and reconciliation.
It is difficult to tell someone we cherish that they hurt us. It can be even more difficult if we have a tense relationship with the person. If
our communities are to survive and flourish, we must learn to have difficult conversations. Expressing how we feel when someone hurts us helps them to understand the effect of their words or actions. It provides an opportunity for the other person to express how they are feeling as well. If both parties are willing to listen, such difficult conversations can lead to a growth in understanding and deepen the relationship.
We are also invited to forgive those who have wronged us. At the end of the encounter, it is hoped that we regain our brother or sister. The end goal is a reconciled relationship. Forgiveness frees us from hurt and resentment and is the gateway to friendship.
Reflect today on situations of
conflict and reconciliation in your life. How did you respond to the tensions and hurts of the conflict? How did you go about reconciling the relationship? Are there some relationships in your life that require some difficult conversation?
Reflections by Sean van Staden SJ
