Each of us at some point or another may have gotten into a misunderstanding with another person. Such a misunderstanding could be a small squabble, or an argument due to differences in opinion, or even a heated exchange of words. Sometimes the misunderstanding could also be due to some wrong doing committed by one party to another. When a person has done something wrong towards us, how do we respond?
There are people who would ignore the person's wrongdoing and forgive him or her (sometimes due to the fact that such people do not want to make an issue out of the matter, no matter how serious it may be, but by doing so, the other person who has committed wrongdoing may not learn from their mistake and possibly think that he or she had had a lucky escape and may not appreciate the forgiveness given). There are people who get angry or upset or bear a grudge against the other person. There are also people who begin to shun the other person, especially if the wrongdoing was especially serious and hurting, and this could lead to prolonged feelings of anger and resentment. But what did Jesus teach us to do in such a situation?
In today's Gospel, Jesus said, "If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector."
As you can see, dealing with another person who has done something wrong is not an easy or quick matter. It requires patience, persistence, firmness, compassion and mercy towards the other person. We ought to be against the wrongdoing, not the wrongdoer, and try to help the other person grow and change for the better. Have we been charitable and loving towards those who have wronged us?
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