GOSPEL COMMENTARY MT 18: 15-20
‘If your brother sins against you’
FR. ROBERT J. WAGNER
When someone sins against us, what is the proper Christian response? Throughout the Gospels, Jesus teaches us the importance of forgiveness as both a reflection of God's mercy and a means for healing and unity among all people. He speaks to us of turning the other cheek, praying for our enemies and showing mercy to our persecutors.
In His darkest hour on Calvary, Jesus offers us an extraordinary example of mercy when He prayed, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do,” (Lk 23:34). Jesus offers mercy to those who sentenced Him to death and nailed Him to the cross. When we find it challenging to forgive another person, praying with this Scripture passage is a powerful and fruitful source of healing and motivation.
Jesus also teaches us that our salvation is directly related to our ability to forgive. “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you,” He says. “But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions,” (Mt 6:14-15).
Forgiveness requires great virtue, including the exercise of humility, courage and compassion. It is in forgiving others that we grow in holiness and allow God's grace to heal bonds that are so easily broken through our sinfulness and the sinfulness of others. Over and over again, we will have the opportunity to grow in holiness through the practice of forgiveness as Peter found out when He tried to find a limit to how often a Christian needs to forgive a person who sins against them: “As many as seven times?” Peter asked. “Not seven, but seventy-seven,” Jesus replied (cf. Mt 18:21-22).
In light of Christ's teaching on forgiveness, the lesson we hear in the Gospel seems odd. Jesus tells us, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Our first instinct is to think this is the opposite of forgiving. Why would we confront the sinner if we are called to turn the other cheek? We assume they already know what we are going to tell them, that their sins have damaged us and others. What do we gain from this interaction?
We must realize, however, that Jesus is not telling us to confront the sinful party out of vengeance or righteousness. It is not an action to help us cope with and heal from the wounds the other has inflicted on us (although that may be a result). No, the reason for the interaction is not for us at all. We are called to forgive. We are called to love. We are called to compassion.
Jesus asks us to tell the sinner his fault for his sake — for his conversion, for his self-awareness. Perhaps he does not know the damage he has done. Perhaps he will be moved by seeing the pain he has caused us or react to the forgiveness we offer in our explanation. Perhaps we are giving him the opportunity to apologize and find healing. By approaching him, we allow God an opportunity to touch the soul of a sinner. We perform an act of charity for someone who has sinned against us.
Too often, when we are hurt by another, the last person we tell about the sin is the person who committed it against us. Rather, our first reaction is to find sympathy by complaining to others or to spread the news of a sinful act that will damage the other's reputation. Unlike confronting someone out of care for their soul, this kind of response is selfish and sinful. It does not bring healing but instead brings more division and pain.
It is difficult to confront people who have hurt us. They have injured us, diminished the trust we have for them, and left a wound that requires forgiveness to be healed. May God give us the grace to recognize the people we have yet to forgive, the people we have forgiven but still need to offer the opportunity to apologize to us and the people to whom we need to apologize. Christ calls us to be one body in Him (Jn 17:21-23). Let us be instruments of that Christian unity in our lives and the lives of others.
Fr. Wagner is Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde’s secretary.
Year A - 23rd Sunday in ordinary time
Where two or three gather in my name
Matthew 18:15-20
15 If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.
16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 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.
19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (NRSV)
Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Church is my mystical body. I am the head, and you are the members. You all come to partake of my divinity when you remain united in the true faith of the Apostles. So long as you remain bound by the truth, you will prosper together and secure the gifts that I have promised. This is why it is very important to keep faithfulness to your fellowship; otherwise unless you gather with me, you will scatter.
Right from the very beginning of my Church there were those who rebelled against my teachings and became a cause of concern, they are the imitators of Judas, who having come to know the light, chose to live in darkness.
It is your responsibility to try to gain them back to the flock. If they don’t listen to you; it is good to have others come with you to discuss the matter with your brother or sister. If your efforts don’t produce any results, pray for their conversion.
My Catholic Church has been given the power to bind on earth as in Heaven; this has been met with strong opposition from different groups throughout the ages. But you must forgive others and pray for them to come to the light. The integrity of my teachings must be kept at all costs and the truth must not be compromised.
I will always be with my Church. It takes life from my life, its heart beats with the strength of my heart, the blood of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is my own blood that continues to nourish, purify and strengthen souls for eternal life.
Every time you pray I listen to you. Every time you pray with others in a group you are in agreement, in this way you bind your intentions through your desires. The prayer made in union with others has great value because it represents the unity that I want in my Church.
Unite yourself with others and pray in agreement, for the unity of the Church, for the conversion of sinners and for all the needs of your fellowmen. Let your prayers become arrows of love that will pierce the Divine Will to obtain your desires.
Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary