A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
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 won over your brother.
16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
18 Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Reflection: Listen
Good News: Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Everyone commits mistake. Everyone falls short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). But our God is merciful. He forgives our sins if we come to Him with a sincere desire to repent and to amend our life. However, there are members of the Body of Christ who are blinded with pride and are unable to see and accept their wrongdoings. How do we deal with them?
The gospel passage above is very clear on how to discipline a fellow believer. First, lovingly talk to him or her in private. Never shame him or her in public. If he does not listen, let two or three witnesses talk to him and still, if he refuses to listen, let the whole church make the decision. The rest is up to God.
Listening is the key to healing and reconciliation. It works both ways. God listens to our prayers but we need also to listen to Him. The flock listens to the shepherd and vice versa. In the area of discipline, we need to listen to each other first. Each one has a different background and each of us has a story to tell. In the first verse of our reading, we can easily win over our brother who sins against us if he knows how to listen but we also need to listen to him. Who knows, maybe our brother sinned against us because of our own wrongdoings.
The best part in our Gospel reading is that when we come together to solve a problem on discipline or any problem for that matter, God is present in our midst. That is why it is important to start any activity with a prayer in order to seek His wisdom and might. Without Him, we can do little or nothing. With God, there is no problem that cannot be solved. With His mercy and grace, no heart can be so hard.
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Jesus provides profound guidance on dealing with conflict within the Christian community. The Gospel verses above emphasize reconciliation, accountability, and the power of unity in prayer, offering a roadmap for maintaining harmony and spiritual health in our relationships.
Jesus begins by saying, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” This instruction highlights the importance of addressing conflicts directly and privately. By speaking one-on-one, we show respect and love, aiming to restore the relationship without causing public embarrassment or further strife. This approach fosters an environment of trust and openness, where issues can be resolved with grace and understanding.
If the individual does not listen, Jesus advises taking one or two others along, “so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'” This step introduces accountability and communal support. Bringing others into the conversation can help ensure fairness and objectivity, and their presence can lend weight to the call for repentance and reconciliation. This process underscores that resolving conflicts is not solely a personal endeavor but a collective responsibility of the community.
Should the person still refuse to listen, Jesus instructs to “tell it to the church,” and if they refuse even the church, to “treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” This progression demonstrates the seriousness of unrepentant sin and the importance of community standards. However, even in this final step, we are reminded of Jesus’ own treatment of tax collectors and sinners—with love and a constant invitation to repentance. Thus, excommunication is not about condemnation but about maintaining the integrity of the community and continually hoping for restoration.
In verses 18-20, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual authority and unity of believers. He says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This statement highlights the profound spiritual responsibility given to the church in matters of discipline and reconciliation. Moreover, Jesus assures us of His presence when we gather in His name: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
This promise is a powerful reminder of the importance of unity in prayer. When we come together, seeking God’s guidance and intervention, our collective prayers have the power to effect change. Jesus’ presence among us brings comfort, assurance, and the strength to face and resolve conflicts.
We are called to pursue reconciliation with humility, respect, and love. Jesus challenges us to uphold community standards while extending grace and continually seeking restoration. As we navigate conflicts, let us remember the power of unity in prayer and the assurance of Jesus’ presence, guiding us toward harmony and peace.
