Respect for Other’s Feelings and Words
I intend to have respect … for the words and feelings of others, however opposed they are to mine. (OOCC, X, p. 132; STA, 189)
The human person is a social being. He is called to live in an interactive relationship with others. The interactive relationship may take place either in an I-you interaction on a personal level, or in an inter-personal interaction in a community. Whether a person lives in a community or interacts with others on a personal level, it is important that there exists a genuine respect for each other among the persons who wish to live in a relationship. True respect for each other is possible only if one learns to be considerate towards the other’s feelings and words. A genuine relationship cannot be built among persons who cannot respect each other’s feelings and words. When a person is able to understand what the other thinks, feels and speaks, and accepts the perspective of the other though it is different from that of his, there is a genuine respect for the other. When this takes place, a true relationship can happen between persons. St. Vincent Pallotti, realizing the importance of respecting people’s feelings and words for building up authentic human relationships, gave this task a significant place in his spiritual and human living. He constantly made every effort to cultivate in himself the attitude of respecting the words and feelings of others. He made special effort to reach out in acceptance to the one with whom he experienced differences in the level of his thinking, feeling and speaking.
Do I attempt to have genuine interactive relationships with others? Do I show genuine respect for other’s feelings and words in my interactions with persons, especially those with whom I do not agree? Am I thoughtful of others in my dealings with them?
Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at peace with one another. (Eph. 4: 2-3)