Pastor's Letter

   
This Sunday, Jesus gives us a way to help solve some of the problems that can happen between people. And it’s still a way of conflict resolution that’s recommended by experts even today.
 
What’s key to Jesus’ approach is that his method is about resolving matters in a loving and caring way. It’s not about punishing the other, or getting back at the other, but about truly trying to help someone grow and become a better human being.
 
Jesus’ first step is to approach the person who “has sinned against you” and to talk it out to let them know how it affected you. Hopefully the other will apologize and peace is restored. Sometimes we may come to realize that the way we say or do something can be misunderstood.  Simple awareness about this could actually help. It definitely takes courage to approach someone, and this is best handled, not in the heat of emotion, but rather, when things have settled down and an open discussion can happen.
 
If there isn’t a resolution, then Jesus says bring one or two others who can attest to the situation and talk it out that way. The other two may be able to help provide some clarity.
 

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If that doesn’t bring resolution, he tells us to take it the church. The “church” is the community that cares and wants to restore wholeness. It could be the family, a respected authority figure or institution, a prayer group or support group, or even some kind of counseling. 
 
If that doesn’t work, he doesn’t tell us to give up. Instead he said something interesting: treat them like “a Gentile or tax collector”—those who were outside the circle.  Of course, we know how Jesus treated Gentiles and tax collectors. He looked for an opening in their hearts, and when the time was right, he would help them help themselves by turning their life around to a life with God. Jesus seemed to always be open to the one ready to seek forgiveness.
 
Jesus’ strategy is effective, but it’s also hard to do. Plus, if we’re honest, we know human relationships are complicated; getting to step one may be difficult, let alone persevering to step four. It can be difficult to approach someone who has wronged us. But when it’s done with the desire to help someone understand themselves better, it could lead to change.
 
What Jesus opens us up to is forgiveness and reconciliation, which is needed to make any relationship work. It leads to peace.
 
May the peace of Christ be with us always.
 
          –Fr. Mike