Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

‘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. 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. 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. 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. 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. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

At first glance, Matthew’s description of dealing with difficult people provides a challenge, given the significance of the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14) which immediately precedes these verses and Jesus’ answer to Peter about ‘how many times must I forgive’ in the verses following today’s passage. (Matthew 18:21-22).

Treat the person “as a Gentile and a tax-collector.” Now, both Gentiles and tax-collectors were arguably among the most despised people in the Jewish environment of Jesus’ time. Matthew’s recounting of this rather interesting three-stage process for dealing with a recalcitrant member of the community is not really about punishment to be meted out.

The story fits comfortably with Jesus’ own teaching on faith and repentance. The one who shows faith and repents before God is welcomed back into the fold. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” is Jesus’ ratification of all that repentance entails. And so, when one repents and accepts God back into their lives, the community is complete once again, just as the one lost sheep, in the earlier verses of this chapter, returns and the hundredfold flock is whole once more.

Within this community which prays together, reflects together and even makes decisions together in Jesus’ name, his presence is there binding them together; and his presence is one of love and forgiveness.

So let us, in humility, allow faith to direct our actions; let us always be aware of the presence of Jesus in our midst, and let the peace of God ‘which surpasses all understanding’ infiltrate our hearts and minds.

When have I experienced being forgiven and welcomed back into the community?