Steps to forgiveness

"I never want to see you again!" you yell.

You're mad at a friend for being mean or hurting you, so you decide someone else is now your best friend. Who cares about your old friend? You'll just hang around with somebody else.

Jesus would handle things a little bit differently. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 18:15-20), He tells us how:

When you've had a fight with someone, it doesn't feel like things will ever get better. You don't feel like forgiving the person, and you sure don't want to forget about it!

Jesus gave us some good steps to take when we're that mad. First, He said, go to the person and say, "I feel angry when you hurt me." The person might say "I'm sorry" and act differently, and you could be friends again.

That doesn't always work, though. If someone won't stop hurting you, Jesus said to tell another person. Sometimes, a grownup can stop things a kid can't. Jesus even asked us to try a priest or person at your church, if you're looking for an adult who can help.

But Jesus knew there are some people who just won't -- or can't -- change. They're hurting so much themselves that they hurt other people to make themselves feel better. If one of those people is hurting you and won't stop when you or a grownup tell them to, Jesus told us to get away from the person -- and stay away.

When you're arguing with someone and you just can't stop, Jesus gave us one more step to try: Pray together. Praying about a fight means you both want God's help to fix things -- and Jesus promised God would help. Wherever you are, Jesus is there -- even in the middle of an argument!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me take the steps you taught to stop someone from hurting me. Amen!

(09-02-99)