The Gospel this weekend addresses the issue of the conflict that can arise from time to time because of the interdependence of his people.

Christ is pictured as discussing just such a question with his apostles and proposing to them a model of resolution.  He says, “Suppose that someone has offended you, that you have a real grievance against another, what should you do?”  And Christ’s first advice is simply, “Tell that person about it.”  Bring it up, talk about it.

But then he adds a very important note.  To begin with at least, keep it private.  Try to resolve it where it exists, between the individuals involved.

But that private confrontation may not work.  And Christ’s advice here is consistent.  Don’t stop, don’t pull back.  If damage is still being done, concern and involvement cannot be withheld.  He says, “Call in a witness or two.”

And then the next step, the next two steps that Christ proposes, ring a bit harshly.  He says that if that doesn’t work, refer the matter to the Church.  In effect, make it public.  And if even that doesn’t work, then back off, in a sense, from that person.  Alter, even drastically alter, the nature of the relationship that generates conflict.

Making it public means that if a situation in which damage is being done cannot be resolved privately, then it is no longer a private situation.  It does mean that those whose charge it is to preserve whatever values are being damaged must be involved.  If it is a civil value, then the civil authority; community value, the community authority.

If the health of a person, be it physical or emotional is the value, then those agencies must be involved.  For any one of us to simply sit back and watch anyone of us damage themselves or others is sinful.

And then finally, Christ says that we may have to radically alter the nature of our relationship to the person or situation that is generating the conflict if nothing else works.

Now, that never means that we withdraw from anyone our concern, or our readiness to become involved in their well-being.  But it does mean that when all else has been tried, we may come to a point at which we simply have to say, “I am not going to co-operate in any way with the damage that is being done.  I am not going to help it be done, not even passively, not to me, nor to anyone else.”  In the extreme, it may even mean simply no longer associating with that individual.

Human interdependence is not simple.  Whether it be a matter of supporting the good we see in others or correcting the faults, we cannot, as a Christian, live behind a wall.  The people we are called to serve are on the other side of the wall.  And because they are there, so is God.