In the Preciousness of Faith Column of the Catholic Peace Weekly, the priest reminds us of the difficulty of reconciliation that often arises in life.
One of the most challenging tasks of living as a priest is reconciling people. He was an assistant priest for one year, and he spent much of that time mediating conflicts among parishioners. Since then, he has witnessed many fights and disputes.
Conflict and division exist wherever people live, in parishes, in schools, dioceses, and other communities. Seeing children quarrel and fight while trying to mediate, from a parent’s perspective, is unbearably painful. It is tempting to think, if reconciliation isn’t possible, should I really try to stop the fight?
In such situations, hearing Jesus’ words can make one pause. “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)
What could it mean that He came to bring division, not peace? It means that we should approach division and conflict not idealistically, but realistically.
We dream of a world without any conflict or division. Yet, we know well that such a world will never come. Just when we think a fight is over, a larger conflict may arise and continue to trouble us. However, because fighting and conflict should neither be the final word, the work of those striving for peace is indispensable.
What Jesus wishes for is not a world free of conflict and division, but one in which, even though humans are different and conflict is inevitable, people rise above it and create peace. Achieving this requires an attitude and culture that accepts differences. Because Jesus acknowledged differences, He was able to choose disciples of various temperaments, backgrounds, and political orientations, and this foundation made possible a church that respects diversity and achieves unity.
However, true peace and harmony are achieved only after we go through our differences and the difficulties and conflicts that come with them. Therefore, it is necessary to acknowledge division rather than conceal it. This is to understand how different we are and to realize that 'unity' is not something given all at once, but a task we must accomplish together. Right now, we are walking that path. Therefore, even if there is conflict and division, let us not be disappointed. There is no true peace without striving to achieve peace beyond conflict and division, caring for one another, and growing together.
Jesus came to achieve precisely this, dedicating His entire life to it. Today, through my small sacrifices and acceptance, let us pray that greater unity will be realized within us. What if we could recognize that the differences we have, dispositions, speech, and thoughts, are, in fact, gifts for a greater self, for a greater 'us'?
