Readings
I - Deu. 34: 1-12
II - Mt. 18: 15-10
In today’s Gospel passage Jesus prescribes a formula for mending relationships. If someone sins against us, we have to go and tell him about it when he is alone. If he doesn’t listen to us, we have to take two or three witnesses and speak to him. If he again refuses to listen, we have to tell it to the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then he can be treated like a gentile and the tax collector.
Through the Gospel passage of the day, Jesus invites us to try all the means to bring an erred brother back to the relationship. God wishes for a change of heart and new beginnings. He does wish that anyone perish. Follow the formula of Jesus and try to mend relationships for the disciple of Jesus, like Jesus, searches for and brings back the strayed sheep.
