12th Sunday After Pentecost
Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)
Matthew 18:15-20 (NRSV)
Reconciliation in the community of faith
"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."
Reflection
"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."
Reflection
This is about the community of the Church, each person being humble, and acceptance of Christ and one another. In the Church we live together with one another. Our love for one another is bound in the love of Christ.
Certainly, Christians will sin. They will sin against God, against the public, and they will sin against one another. In love, when we recognize sin, we go to each other. We confess our sin together. This confession and forgiveness is one of the most powerful aspects of Christ's activity in the church.
Sense sin is never individual, even in the forgiveness, pain will follow. Many innocent people are hurt in our sin. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that the pain of sin will not be present. There will be pain and decay from sin. Witness the society and world today. We are all in a state of decay. Sin has brought upon us a decay towards death.
So this act of calling out the sin of a sister or brother in Christ is an act of love. The Church desires that all may seek forgiveness and reconciliation. For we are all in this state of decay. Through this forgiveness and recognition of our state of decay, we humbly come together and walk hand-in-hand towards that cross of Christ where all the sin of the world died in Jesus.
And out of this death comes life and reconciliation, love and growth in the Kingdom. We look through the stain of our sin to the glory of Jesus coming again to us, through us, and to fulfill the community of all believers. We look through our sin to that day that sin will be no more and we will see the love of Jesus clearly. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, open my ears to your voice when I sin. Help me to hear, understand and humble myself. As I confess my sin, I reach out for forgiveness and renewal... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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