Building Up One Another

St. Paul tells us that we are to "owe nothing to anyone except to love one another." (Rm 13:8). It's easy to love those who love us, but in the spirit of the Great Commandment, love God, love neighbor, sometimes this love involves addressing directly someone who has gone astray or offended us. This is NOT easy to do. Jesus encourages us to make every effort to help the offender get back on track even to take others along to help. (cf. Mt 18: 15-17).  The 12 Step Program encourages carefully planned and executed "interventions" where a group of trusted friends confront the addict with his or her behavior (our of love) and are prepared to help him or her take the next step, usually a treatment program.  Not all "differences" require this level of confrontation, but even minor ones. as Jesus reminds us, require his presence. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.: (Mt. 18:20).  A thought to keep in mind:  wouldn't I appreciate it if someone reached out to grab me as I felt the ice giving way beneath me?  So too, the gratitude of the person confronted blesses and makes holy the anxiety and fear of addressing him or her.
Bro. Rene