Gospel Reflection Sept 6 – Fr. Black
Sunday, September 6
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 18:15-20
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
Matthew’s Gospel contains 5 major discourses. This weekend’s Gospel is from the Social Discourse. It reflects how Jesus expects His followers to treat others, particularly when they have sinned against us. Note that Jesus’ expectation mentions nothing about anger or hatred. It avoids revenge and retribution. These are the easy responses to others who have sinned. Anyone can respond in one of these manners and even convince themselves that it makes them feel better. However, Jesus calls us to rise above these most basic human instincts and approach the person with a sense of compassion and a desire to help them make changes in their lives that will keep them close to the Lord. When our starting point is one of love and genuine concern, we are much more likely to have a positive outcome.
Fr. James Black