Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, (Mt 18:15-20), Jesus offers us a
profound lesson on Christian community, forgiveness, and the power of unity in
His name. These verses may seem, at first glance, to be merely practical advice
on conflict resolution. But when we look deeper, we find that they touch the
very heart of what it means to live as disciples of Jesus.
Jesus begins by teaching us the importance of
confronting one another with love when one has been wronged. When a brother or
sister stumbles, our instinct might be to distance ourselves, to point fingers,
to gossip or shaming the other. Jesus is teaching that we should rather seek
reconciliation. We are called to be a community marked by grace, not judgment.
Jesus invites us to a different path. He urges us to
approach the erring one privately, with a heart full of love and concern. It is
about restoration and salvation of our erring brother or sister, drawing him or
her back into the warmth of fellowship. This intimate approach respects the
dignity of the other and preserves the relationship. It reflects the patience
and grace that Christ extends to each of us. When we approach our brothers and
sisters in this way, we are not just following a set of rules; we are living
out the gospel in real and tangible ways
If the private conversation does not bring
resolution, Jesus advises us to take one or two others along. This step is not
to gang up on the person, but to invite wisdom and objectivity into the
situation. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be careful whom we invite
into the conflict resolution. Preferably, we should involve other Christians
with wisdom and good character. In this
way, we can ensure that truth is upheld, and reconciliation remains the goal, not
broadcasting the fault of others. Moreover, the presence of witnesses also
emphasizes the seriousness of our commitment to living in harmony and truth.
Finally, if the person still refuses to
listen, Jesus says to "tell it to the church." This reveals the deep
communal nature of our faith. We are not isolated individuals but members of
the body of Christ. The well-being of one affects all, and the church community
is both a sanctuary and a place of accountability.
Jesus calls us to uphold each other in
love, even when it is difficult, because we are all bound together in Him. I
believe that, as disciples of Jesus, we need to live out this communal
dimension of our faith: together, we are stronger; but divided, we are
weaker. Can we imagine the impact
Christians could have on the world and society if we were united in Christ? Alas,
sometimes, Christians spend more time working against each other, intentionally
and unintentionally.
The final
verses of today’s Gospel remind us of the incredible power we have as a
community of believers. When we gather in His name, Jesus promises to be with
us. This is not just a symbolic presence, but a real and living one. Our
prayers, our efforts to reconcile, our struggles to forgive, are not just human
endeavors; they are imbued with the divine presence of Christ Himself.
Today’s
Gospel is finally a call to love courageously, to forgive generously, and to
seek unity with perseverance. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to reflect
His heart in all our relationships. This means confronting wrongdoing with
love, seeking reconciliation with humility, and standing together in prayer and
faith.
May we always
remember that when we gather in His name, whether to resolve a conflict or to
offer a prayer, Jesus is with us. Let us
be a community where the wounded find refuge, where the lost are welcomed back,
and where love prevails over all else. He guides us, strengthens us, and fills
our efforts with His grace. Let us, therefore, be peacemakers, bridge-builders,
and faithful disciples who, in all things, strive to bring the love of Christ
into the world. May God bless all our effort to be peacemakers.🙏🙏🙏
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