To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Commentary of the Gospell for August 14, 2024
Getting along with people is tough, even with those closest to us like family or people who share the same goals. Sometimes a misunderstanding, a personality quirk, or something we don’t like about someone else creates barriers and leads to awkward silences that turn into resentment and distance. The longer we wait to explain ourselves or ask for an explanation, the harder it is to break down that wall. Things fester, and the situation starts to hurt.
We need to talk. They say love is resourceful, and Jesus shows us a path of love before reconciliation. Let’s ask for the grace and cleverness to face conflicts with courage and humility. Let’s ask to know how to say things with genuine love, which is a pretty tough thing to do. Let’s talk face-to-face with the person who’s acting badly or who we have a problem with.
Far from seeking confrontation, Jesus’s suggestion aims to heal and restore relationships, always putting love and the other person’s dignity first. If our words fall on deaf ears, Jesus invites us to involve one or two witnesses. This isn’t about condemning anyone, but about finding a fair and balanced solution, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and objectivity in our actions.
Getting the whole community involved is the next step, highlighting that the church is a family where every member plays a vital role in reconciliation and peace. Even when someone keeps messing up, Jesus doesn’t tell us to condemn them completely, but to treat them with the hope of future restoration.
Jesus’s promise to be present when two or three gather in his name fills us with comfort and hope. We’re not alone in our efforts to live in harmony and resolve our differences; his presence guides and strengthens us. Jesus asks us to live in love, always seeking reconciliation and unity, knowing that in every effort to restore peace, He is with us, supporting and blessing our actions.