In the passage for this Sunday Jesus talks about the inevitability of conflict. Even in families a man will turn against his father and a daughter against her mother (Matthew 10:35). These words appear to be prophetic with people in the church currently arguing over the role of women bishops and the blessing of same sex relationships. The headline in the Times on Monday (June 16th) was 'Anglican Church in Meltdown over Gays and Women.' Jesus' willingness to allow himself to be crucified offers a critical insight into conflict resolution. It is the intelligence of the victim that makes reconciliation possible. It is the person wronged who can see most clearly what needs to be done. If you feel that you have been treated badly, don't become angry in return. Instead of this, see it as your responsibility to forgive.

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