In today's Gospel, Jesus challenges His disciples: “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and talk with them.”  How do we usually respond when someone hurts us? Do we ignore them, take time to decide, nurse anger or hurt, or retaliate?
Most of us formed our response to being hurt when we were young, often without realizing it. We may have copied our parents, learned to manipulate, kept our distance, or perhaps were taught to speak with the person and work things out.
How do I respond today when someone sins against me? Is it different from childhood, or much the same? Many instinctive responses begin early and become so automatic that we may not even notice them.
Today may be a good day to ask: Do I bind others to me through anger or resentment, or do I “loose” them by trying to let go of hurt, anger, or jealousy through conversation? We can change these automatic responses, though it takes effort and it is easy to fall back into old patterns.
Do we  want to change this automatic response? It is possible with alertness and mindfulness, though it may take weeks or months. As we choose differently, we may become happier and freer. In freeing the person who hurt us, we may also free ourselves from the pain, anger, and hurt we have carried.   Am I ready to let it go?

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