First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Romans 13:8-10
Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20
These readings can be viewed at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090411.cfm .
Journal Reflection Questions
1. Outline the three steps Jesus gives us for resolving conflict. What would it mean, in today’s day and age, to treat someone like a ‘Gentile or a tax collector’? Describe.
2. List the reasons people generally have for not dealing with their conflicts directly.
3. Give real-life experiences from your life when you handled your conflict in a healthy and holy way – and in an unhealthy way. What were the consequences of each situation?
Gospel Reflection
Ever wonder what kind of difference Jesus can make in your daily life? This Gospel reading is aimed at those who think that Jesus couldn’t ‘hang’ with the best pop-psychologists of our day. We see in this reading a sure-fire plan for what many today call ‘conflict resolution’. Have you ever been so angry with someone that you couldn’t talk, even to them? Have you ever found yourself talking about your relationship problems, while you never directly confront the people with whom you’re in conflict? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, then you need what Jesus has to say to us in this passage. The first item of interest in this passage is that Jesus tells us that the person responsible for resolving the conflict is not the person who did the damage: It is the person who was injured that is expected to begin the reconciliation process. (Of course, this shouldn’t stop a person who began the conflict to seek reconciliation. The point is that often times we hurt people without even knowing it, and need someone to point out our faults.) The next major point is that Jesus gives us three clear steps in seeking out reconciliation, but the common thread to all these steps is that we must go directly to the person who hurt us. Don’t let this Gospel passage fool you into thinking that this is an easy teaching to uphold. This is the part that people so often pass over. They choose gossip and backstabbing over going directly to the individual. People can be so blinded by fear and anger that they miss the opportunity to seek reconciliation, and end out making a bad situation far worse than it was. This avoidance of going to the person directly can – depending on the sin and the situation – be an even worse sin than the sin that started the conflict. If we don’t deal directly with those involved, then we will be bound by the sin and hurt done to us. However, if we follow Christ’s teaching, then we will be on the right road to reconciliation. So don’t let fear stop you from doing what is right. If the other person doesn’t want to hear what you have to say, then let this be their problem, not yours. May God give us the courage we need to resolve conflict according to His plan so that we can truly be people of peace.
reflection and questions from ymcentral.com
No comments:
Post a Comment