St Gregory Parish recently issued the following announcement.

To the Point: While Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel makes sense, it’s also really difficult! When someone hurts us, it’s so much easier to fume to others about what this person has done than to go and talk to the one who has wronged us. Often when our egos or feelings have been bruised, there is a deep desire to get others on our side. Their support makes us feel better about ourselves and justified in our grievance. Though this may seem easier and safer than going to the one who has hurt us directly, it’s no way to build a community. As Jesus recounts the process, if meeting one-on-one doesn’t work, only then should other members of the community be brought in. This first step of direct communication is the foundation for living in the world as a reconciling community, intent on building peace.

Connecting the Gospel to Experience: Not only are we to care for our brothers and sisters physically, we are to look after them spiritually. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “charity demand beneficence and fraternal correction” (1829). Of course, as members of the Body of Christ we also must be prepared to receive correction from others with the same goodwill that we offer it to our brothers and sisters.

1. God tells the prophet Ezekiel that he will be God’s spokesperson in dissuading the wicked. What should be the role of the church or individual members of the Body of Christ in being a prophetic voice against evil? 

2. Not only are we called to offer correction, sometimes correction will be offered to us. When this happens, today’s psalm tells us, “Harden not your hearts.” What helps you when you are on the receiving end of correction? 

3. St. Paul tells the Romans, “Love is the fulfillment of the law.” How would you apply this to one of the political debates taking place in society? 

4. In today’s gospel Jesus outlines the way to resolve conflicts between disciples. What has been your own experience when facing conflicts within your parish community?

Original source can be found here.