When I was little, and all the children in the family were in cantankerous moods, Mother would tell us to go outside and play.
What she needed was a bit of respite from arguing, but what happened is that once outside, we began playing together, finding common ground, and stopping the fighting.
Why? We had to create our own peaceful interactions, not having Mom step in, some of the siblings wanting that manipulation and some just wanting to get on with doing stuff (me).
Going outside meant we were on our own in the backyard and that we had to settle our differences in order to play, which was a command.
We did both. We either dropped the quibbling or we came to compromises, and then we played.
What is wrong with so many communities is that individuals are not willing to go outside and play. They do not want to find common ground.
This lack of understanding or an effort to understand comes from one source-pride.
The one extremely stubborn sibling was the hardest to convince to give up his insistence on his way and to play.
Sometimes he came around and sometimes he pouted. The rest of us hated pouting and saw his inability to join in as him hurting himself instead of enjoying the group.
Sadly, that sibling is still stubborn about things and wants things just his way. He has no friends.
Parishes can become cells of people who only want their own way and who refuse to compromise. Now, one cannot compromise about issues of morality or doctrine, but one can come to understanding about other things.
Pride hides as stubborn and self-righteousness. Pride wants everyone to agree with the holder of pride. Pride refuses to listen.
If there are conflicts in your parishes, try and find common ground. Go outside and play.
But, remember this as well. The Church will be and is fast becoming a remnant. This means that many, many people will not be saved. Do not pretend about some people's resistance to playing, to trying to come to the Truth.
Truth is a Living Person. He comes to all at some time in their lives.
