“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you." Mt 18:15
Sometimes the Gospel offers us very practical advice. In Matthew's Gospel, the evangelist reminds his readers that Jesus wanted us to heal broken relationships without resorting to public accusations or allegations especially of a personal kind. When we attack one another and try to make it appear that we not assaulting the person, but the person's ideas, we sin and this offense must be addressed, but quietly.
Conversations about difficult matters should always begin in private. In this way, we can be sure that we are honestly seeking to have an authentic relationship with our conversation partners and not simply trying to be right and win an argument. If convincing someone that their opinion is unfounded is more important than hearing them with an open spirit, we are not living the Gospel.
The book of Proverbs reminds us: "Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs," (10:12) and it is the loving person who remembers to seek out those with whom they struggle in order to seek a path of healing.
Today, listen to someone with whom you disagree twice as long as normally would.
Have you been successful in healing a relationship by speaking with the other in private?
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