23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - Tough Conversations & “Love One Another”

We all know the feeling: someone has upset us, said something hurtful, or done something that just doesn’t sit right. And what do we usually do? We tell someone else!

Jesus, in this Sunday’s Gospel, suggests a different approach: “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” In other words: Talk to the person, not the whole neighbourhood!

That sounds simple, but it can be surprisingly difficult. It takes courage to have an honest conversation, humility to listen, and love to seek reconciliation rather than revenge.

Jesus is not telling us to win arguments. He is teaching us how to win people back. Then comes one of the most beautiful promises in the Gospel: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “Where two or three people agree with each other, I am there!” He says, “where two or three are gathered in my name.” That means Jesus can be present even when we don’t see eye to eye. He is present when we are trying to repair a relationship, when we are learning to forgive, and even when we are struggling to take the first step. Perhaps this week we could ask ourselves: Is there someone I need to speak to, rather than speak about?

Maybe it’s time to put down the phone, stop replaying the argument in our heads, and simply say, “Can we talk?” It may not solve everything immediately, but it might open a door. And sometimes, that is where grace begins. Jesus reminds us today that Christian community isn't about perfect people; it is about people willing to love, forgive, listen, and begin again.

So, if there is a difficult conversation waiting to happen, don't forget to invite Jesus into it. After all, He promised that where two or three gather in His name, He is already there. And that makes even the toughest conversation a little less frightening, and perhaps a whole lot more hopeful.

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In honor of this weekend’s Gospel, we would like to share our latest video.

“Love One Another” by Bob Dufford is a deeply moving Catholic hymn with its refrain drawing directly from Jesus’ own command at the Last Supper: “Love one another as I have loved you. Care for each other, I have cared for you. Bear each other’s burdens; bind each other’s wounds.”

On this Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, scripture reminds us that authentic love is never passive; it cares enough to speak the truth, to bear one another’s burdens, and to bind one another’s wounds, trusting that where two or three are gathered in His name, Christ Himself is present in the midst of that love.

Video can be watched by clicking here or by clicking on the thumbnail below.