Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
There are two ways of conquering an enemy. The first is to defeat him. Sometimes, in our fallen world, this must be done. But then we must always watch our backs lest our defeated enemy find time and opportunity to regroup and strike back. The other way to conquer an enemy is by making him your friend. There is no downside to this but one: it wounds our pride to have mercy on those who have wronged us. So there is the mysterious reality of our preference for victory rather than friendship, even when friendship is sincerely offered. The older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son can tell you all about it. So can many victims around the world. Cherishing our wounds is normal, but it can become idolatrous when those who have wounded us repent. That is why admonishing sinners with the sincere hope and joy of their repentance is a virtuous act of mercy. It's tempting to want to go on hating sinners rather than wishing their good. Today, rejoice over the repentance of the sinner.
