WEDNESDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II
Ezekiel 9:1-7,10:18-22, Matthew 18:15-20
WILL YOU FORGIVE?
One of the things we can be sure will happen to us as human beings, is the fact that no matter how good our friendship with someone is, there will be a time of quarrel and disagreement. It is difficult to see people who live together not have misunderstandings at one point or the other. Many people who were friends before have become great enemies as a result of a simple issue that was not well resolved.
In the gospel reading of today, Jesus teaches us ways in which we can settle with one another amicably without making issues out of nothing. The first recommendation by Jesus is personal dialogue. Some people may feel that they have been wronged by others, they will be angry and may even go and discuss it with other people, but they never care to meet the person they are angry with. We have to engage in personal dialogue with those who have wronged us. The person may have done it innocently without knowing that we have been hurt.
It cannot be taken for granted that some people are troublesome and difficult to deal with, if meeting the person without telling any other person about it does not work out, we can look for someone whom our offender respects and holds in high esteem to help settle it. The misunderstanding will most likely be resolved at this stage. If for any reason the issue is still not resolved, the Christian community can now be involved. The presence of some church members and leader should bring about the reconciliation.
Anyone who refuses to listen to personal dialogue, a reputable person and the entire church is not a Christian and should be treated as a pagan.
If there is someone you are angry with today because of what he/she had done and you are both becoming lifelong enemies, take the step today and dialogue with him/her. Accept your mistakes and contribution to the situation, and you will win them back and live a happy life. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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