Healthy Conflict

No one likes conflict, especially in the Church. Fighting seems so unbecoming of the disciple. Yet, healthy conflict should be expected, and even welcomed, in the Church. The reason why we should expect conflict is that the Church is filled with people who are not perfect and will, not might, sin. We should welcome conflict because it is the way that people are made aware of their sin and can repent of it. The Church should be a community of repentant sinners who eagerly admit their sin so that they can readily receive grace and mercy from one another and from Jesus. The Apostles Peter and Paul model healthy conflict for us. May we follow their example in our own day.