Reconciliation versus diplomacy

Most people hate conflict.

Many try to avoid it through various means, including diplomacy.

Diplomacy has its place, but it often papers over differences.

Reconciliation heals differences.

Diplomacy has its place, but it often twists and stretches language.

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:33-37), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ calls us to simplicity and honesty in our speech:

Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,'
and your 'No' mean 'No.'
Anything more is from the Evil One.

In today’s first reading (2 Corinthians 5:14-21), Saint Paul speaks of “the ministry of reconciliation...”

...namely,
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting their trespasses against them
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.

We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.

By the grace of Christ, may we be reconciled to God more and more and may we ourselves, by the grace of Christ, exercise the ministry of reconciliation in and through our own lives.