Jesus said to his disciples: “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. 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.’ 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. 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. 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. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:15-20
Today’s gospel is about reconciliation. What do you do when someone who wrongs you causes you harm? Jesus teaches that instead of a response rooted in anger and judgement you should respond with compassion. Instead of division seek reconciliation and strive to bring the sinner back to God’s grace. The Christian response should always be grounded in mercy. Whether we are correcting or being corrected we must look to heal, restore, and deepen our unity with Christ. Do not hold resentment against others even though it may bring fleeting satisfaction. The path is to recognize that resentment is not the answer and try to win over the one causing your wound or if you caused the wound, then humbly admit your sin with no excuses. Reflect today on what Jesus taught about the first step of reconciliation. Confront those who have caused harm to you, acknowledge your own sins, reject the false comfort of resentment, and seek the consolation that comes from unity and charity.