I am part of a parish community in Texas. Recently I started participating in a small sharing group in which we read the Word of Life and share how we try to live it. One month the Word of Life was “Peace be with you, as the Father sent me, I also send you.”
One person immediately came to my mind that I had met previously at church, and we started talking. However, as I got to know this woman, I started to realize that it was difficult for me to have a conversation with her. I didn´t like the way she said certain things. I started to avoid her, but I felt I had lost my inner peace.
Reading the Gospel phrase, I felt the voice of God that impelled me to love her, because she is my sister in Christ. I heard in my heart those words of Jesus, saying that whoever says he loves God and does not love his brother is lying (1 Jn 4:20).
I decided that I would not be disturbed by the comments of this person.
One day she asked me if I could go to help her prepare something she had been entrusted with, and I replied yes. I went and helped her in everything I could, and our time together was very pleasant. I experienced a lot of peace and calm. Now I am very thankful that I was able to take the step and stop avoiding her.
D. M., Texas