If you are not listened to, take with you one or two others so that the case may be decided by
the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he still refuses to listen to them, tell it to the
assembled Church. But if he does not listen to the Church, then regard such a one as a
pagan or a publican.
I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, heaven will keep bound; and whatever you unbind
on earth, heaven will keep unbound.
In like manner, I say to you: if on earth two of you are united in asking for anything, it will be
granted to you by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered in my Name,
I am there among them.”
Reflect
God calls us to community. None of us is meant to be alone. In Baptism, we become part of
the Body of Christ, a community that will last forever. Jesus promises us that wherever we
come together as his Body, in his name, he will be with us.
But Jesus understands that our relationships in community will not always be perfect and
trouble-free. The Church is not a museum for the perfect. It is a hospital for the sick and
sinful. Today’s Gospel recognizes that problems and disagreements will arise, even in the
Church. People will hurt each other and become angry. Arguments will require resolution.
So the Gospel offers us steps for addressing these moments of disagreement (not crimes
against persons). First, we approach one-on-one, then with a few friends. Only if these
efforts do not bring reconciliation is the matter brought to the larger body. What we don’t
do is talk about people behind their backs or air our petty grievances in public or on social
media. Instead, we approach each other in love and trust, seeking and sharing forgiveness.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023