Burying the hatchet

Conflict is real in all our lives, families and congregations. How often in a family does an argument break out about a game being played, or the use of the car, or the TV show to be watched or piece of pie being eaten? The heated discussion often gets carried on for quite some time and may seem to an observer to be out of proportion to the problem at hand.

In discussing the conflict after the fact, the length, intensity and even the involvement of some in the issue, it is easy to realize the argument had nothing to do with what was being said or even emotions being shown or attitudes expressed. The people were dredging up some very old business!

We may bury the hatchet but we often mark the spot! We can think it is only the Irish or Polish or Italians who hold grudges but it is everyone. This is the week to dig up the buried hatchet and remove the markers over them and move on in forgiveness, reconciliation and love. It is the mid-point of Lent 2018, a time to get to confession and get rid of feelings of anger and guilt and let love take over.

The boundless love of God is on full display in all the readings today. The Chosen People in our first reading had added infidelity to infidelity repeatedly turning away from God, but God still loved them. Cyrus allows the exiles to return to Jerusalem and the city and temple are restored as the people are liberated by the love of God. St. Paul testifies in the second reading that our salvation comes because of God’s great love for us and God’s grace has saved us.

The Gospel of John attests that Jesus was sent to save the world because God so loved us. Pope Francis calls this Gospel, “The Summary of the Whole Gospel” as God’s love for us has no bounds and God has no buried hatchets or spots marked to get even with us in present or future conflicts. He is there to forgive and love as His Cross delivers all believers. We must remember we were created in God’s image and God repeatedly rescued humanity from the consequences of sin and evil. God’s boundless love has saved us and we must act on that love as we reach out to and live and love one another.

Allow the TLC of Love to lead you this mid-week of Lent. Have an eye to eye talk with someone and get a conflict or argument resolved. Forget the hatchet or the tug —of-war over who is right or wrong and talk the truth in a loving and compassionate way.

Listen to understand not to explain your point of view and avoid snappy comebacks. Give the other a chance and even try and see the world through their eyes and try to seek a resolution of the issue. Care to love and, despite the size of the problem, be open to the other in thought, word and deep and allow the other to be more important than your emotions or decision. Do your best not to bury the hatchet or to mark a new problem but to put the whole issue to rest and commit to banning it from your life forever. Let LOVE alone direct and guide you this week.