Jesus encourages us to resolve our differences at the lowest level possible, to avoid escalating the problem if at all possible. How do you handle differences with your friends or within your faith community?

A FEW GENERATIONS ago, the idea that Big Brother was watching us was a fearful notion. George Orwell invented Big Brother in 1949 as the all-seeing eye of a police state that would emerge by the year 1984. While the name implies a fraternal and benevolent watcher, Big Brother was actually the fierce custodian of a lockstep society where contrary thoughts could be crimes, and no one might be trusted.

Jesus said to his disciples: “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend."

A remarkable story about Saint Francis tells of a brother who was a community leader having a very difficult time with a brother who was what we sometimes call a “repeat offender.” It’s not clear what the offender did, but it was so disheartening to the leader that he asked Saint Francis if he could just retire and go live as a hermit!

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Scripture has harsh words for the stubborn sinner this weekend. The one who refuses to turn from wickedness, the Book of Ezekiel says, dies of their guilt while the psalm recalls a time hearts hardened against God, and the gospel outlines a course of action against the recalcitrant that ends in expulsion from the community.

It is estimated that in all of recorded history there have been only 230 years of worldwide peace. Sometimes it seems as though we will never learn to resolve our disagreements diplomatically.

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. —Roald Dahl