In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers a profound framework for conflict resolution within the Christian community. His words are not merely procedural—they are deeply relational, rooted in love, humility, and the pursuit of restored communion.

‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.’ This challenges our instinct to retaliate or gossip. Instead, Jesus calls us to courageous vulnerability: to approach one another courageously with compassion. The goal is not to win an argument but to restore the relationship.

The escalating steps of bringing witnesses and involving the church highlight the impact of sin on a community and the need we each must walk with others. Each stage is an invitation to repentance and healing. Even the final step, treating someone ‘as a Gentile or tax collector,’ must be read through the lens of Jesus’ own ministry—he ate with tax collectors and welcomed Gentiles.

Jesus then speaks of binding and loosing, echoing his earlier words to Peter. Here, the authority to forgive and restore is extended to the whole church. It’s a reminder that reconciliation is not a private affair—it’s ecclesial, communal, and sacramental.

Finally, the promise: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ This is not just about Church or praying together—it’s about the divine presence in the messy, grace-filled work of reconciliation. Christ is present when we seek unity, when we forgive, when we refuse to let division have the final word.

This passage invites us to embody a church that doesn’t cancel but confronts with love, that doesn’t fracture but forgives. In a world quick to divide, we are called to be agents of communion, looking to Christ to be the agent of our reconciliation with each other and with God.

+ Jesus, help me to courageously speak to those who have upset me. With Your assistance, may we forgive one another and draw closer to You. Amen.

by Nick Kelly