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. 1
8 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.”
Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9
Jesus responded to Peter’s confession of faith, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God” with, “Upon this rock I will build my church” in Matthew 16:18. According to the Gospel, church doesn't refer to a building, but to the people who accept Christ as their redeemer and savior and follow His teaching. It is really beyond buildings, people and created elements.
Ephesians 1:22-23 describes the church as the body of Christ. It is one body with many members who are interlinked, feeding and completing each other. In Christ we, "though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" Romans 12:5.
Interlinked also means co-responsible to ensure optimal and healthy conditions for the functioning of the whole body. When a member falls, other members try to help it recover. An efficient immune system is deployed to remedy the infection.
When somebody is doing wrong against another member, the bond of love that unifies the whole church is affected. If a sister/brother commits a sin against you, try to keep the bond of love. Take the first step leading to reconciliation and peace. Initiate a direct dialogue with her/him.
If there is not a positive result, take two witnesses with you. Two witnesses were required in the Old Testament to justify a deserved punishment and condemnation. "One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses" Deuteronomy 19:15.
Here witnesses are required for forgiveness, reconciliation and to restore peace. They are not called to convict, not to be peace watchers but peace makers! "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called children of God" Matthew 5:9.
If the efforts are in vain, let the Church know that you have done all you can to regain your sister/brother, but she/he was reluctant and rejected abiding by the Lord's commands of love that comprehend mercy and forgiveness. Still, don't reject the sinner, but the sin, and pray for her/him to return to the way of love and life in Christ the Lord.
Today's Gospel invites us to think about how to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" Ephesians 4:2-3.
For Jesus, the church is to be built upon love, dialogue, forgiveness and the common good. In this church, grace must overcome sin. Seek reconciliation and unity rather than excommunions and excommunications. Nowadays, we very much need that to be practiced with love, mercy and humility. Happy are those who live it because of Jesus' presence and love in their hearts and minds!