The Ministry of Reconciliation

Some of my friends asked me to receive a young man who was at odds with some of the brethren in his parish. He came, accompanied by a person whose parents I became friends with after he became independent from them, a person whom I know from outside his parents’ home. I invited them into my office. The accompanying person apologized. He said he would rather stay outside. I urged him. He entered. When I finished with the young man, I leaned towards the other, and asked him about himself, about his parents and his household, and about other things that I do not think it necessary to mention here. Two days ago, words reached me from him mocking the fact that I spoke with his companion about things I do not understand, and with him about things that are none of my business. Friendship cannot be bequeathed. I will let his realistic opinion about understanding go unchallenged. Nobody understands everything. However, what I cannot let go of is my question to him: how do you accompany someone who has a problem with his brethren to a priest with whom you have a concealed problem? Only he who he is free from hatred can contribute to the ministry of reconciliation.