When I got to the end of the Gospel reading for today, I sighed. A big sigh. Jesus doesn’t make it easy. Be perfect. Love your enemies. In a time of polarizing partisanship with name-calling and filter bubbles, I tend to wrap myself in indignation and superiority over those I consider wrong and against what I stand for. And this particular Gospel comes at a particularly opportune time as my research work is examining ways to help journalists pop those filter bubbles and get people in conflict to talk to each other more about what brings them together than what separates them. The approach is a different one for many journalists as we tend to look for problems and conflicts. What happens if we look for solutions and what we all value?

Today’s Gospel makes me think of how I need that research work to spill into the rest of my life. I am thinking: Assume good intentions of everyone. Be open to people I may not agree with. That person I work with who can put me on edge – assume good intentions when that person offers a comment or asks a question. Be the person to compromise instead of pushing to make sure I win when a compromise helps all of us. Assuming good intentions changes the dynamic. I can feel a letting go of that indignation and superiority. And it’s a good feeling.

We might not feel we have enemies, but we all engage in little battles that keep us from being open and loving. Let’s drop that chip from our shoulders. Let’s be the first to reach out. Let’s say I was wrong. Let’s assume good intentions. God, I pray help me find the grace to seek out the ways large and small where I can reduce conflict, assume good intentions and love my enemies.