Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

(09/06/2026) Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-20

“If Your Brother Sins against You”

 

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

 

From the desk of Fr. Leo

     I borrowed these ideas from “Chicken Soup for the Soul” (Volume 2). When we see geese flying south at this time of year, there is a reason why they fly that way. As each flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following it. This uplift that is provided by the V formation allows the flock to get to their destination more quickly and easily. They are traveling in the thrust of one another. It would seem logical that people who share a common direction can reach their destination more quickly and easily by graveling together and supporting one another. Apparently, God thinks this is a good idea too. So, He gave us the Church. We can more quickly and easily reach our home with Him if we travel together. We have an excellent guide in this journey and it is Jesus, for He tells us in this weekend's gospel: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

     There is an attitude many have in society today, that they don't need the Church. They can find God and love God on their own. Certainly, we do have to come to know God in a personal way or our religion will simply be mechanical. But God in His wisdom gave us an important help to knowing Him and serving Him; that is, by being part of the Church, not just in name such as calling ourselves Christians, but by active participation in the Church.

     There is another thing science knows about geese. When one of them falls out of formation, they quickly feel the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and they get back into formation for the lifting power that is provided by the others. Unfortunately, when we humans try to go it alone spiritually, we are often slow to realize we are making no progress spiritually or we are even going in the wrong direction. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay connected with those people who are headed the same way as we are. It's also interesting to note that if a bird gets sick or is injured, and falls out of formation, two others fall out with it and follow it down to give help and protection until it either gets well or dies. Then they will either launch out on their own or join a new formation until they get back to their group. We have a responsibility to care for each other. St. Paul tells us in this weekend's gospel “owe nothing to anyone except to love one another for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

     So, are you wondering why all this talk about the Church? It is because our gospel this weekend is about the CHURCH.

Meditation: What's the best way to repair a damaged relationship? Jesus offers his disciples spiritual freedom and power for restoring broken or injured relationships.

Don't brood over an offense - speak directly and privately

What can we learn from Jesus' instructions about how to mend a damaged relationship (Matthew 18:15-20)? If you feel you have been wronged by someone, Jesus says the first step is to speak directly but privately to the individual who has done the harm. One of the worst things we can do is brood over our grievance. This can poison our mind and heart and make it more difficult to go directly to the person who caused the damage.

Seek the help of wise Christians

If we truly want to settle a difference with someone, we need to do it face to face. If this fails in its purpose, then the second step is to bring another person or persons, someone who is wise and gracious rather than someone who is hot-tempered or judgmental. The goal is not so much to put the offender on trial, but to persuade the offender to see the wrong and to be reconciled. And if this fails, then we must still not give up, but seek the help of the Christian community. Note the emphasis here is on restoring a broken relationship by seeking the help of other Christians who hopefully will pray and seek a solution for reconciliation based on Christian love and wisdom, rather than relying on coercive force or threat of legal action, such as a lawsuit.

Pray for the offender - for healing and reconciliation

Lastly, if even the Christian community fails to bring about reconciliation, what must we do? Jesus seems to say that we have the right to abandon stubborn and obdurate offenders and treat them like social outcasts. The tax-collectors and Gentiles were regarded as "unclean" by the religious-minded Jews and they resorted to shunning them. However we know from the Gospel accounts that Jesus often had fellowship with tax-collectors (as well as other public sinners), ate with them, and even praised them at times! Jesus refuses no one who is open to receive pardon, healing, and restoration.

Set no obstacle in seeking to heal your brother's wound

When you are offended, are you willing to put aside your own grievance and injury in order to help your brother's wound? The Lord Jesus wants to set us free from resentment, ill-will, and an unwillingness to forgive. The love of Christ both purifies and sets us free to do good to all - even those who cause us grief. The call to accountability for what we have done and have failed to do is inevitable and we can't escape it, both in this life and at the day of judgment when the Lord Jesus will return. But while we have the opportunity today, we must not give up on praying for those who cause us offense. With God's help we must seek to make every effort to win them with the grace and power of God's healing love and wisdom. Do you tolerate broken relationships or do you seek to repair them as God gives you the opportunity to mend and restore what is broken?

Lord Jesus, make me an instrument of your healing love and peace. Give me wisdom and courage to bring your healing love and saving truth to those in need of healing and restoration.

read more at: http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org

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