A Homily on Matthew 18:15-22

If your brother has sinned against you, go and correct him, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you will have regained your brother. But if he will not listen you, invite with you one or two more, so that every word may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses. And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector. Amen I say to you, whatever you will have bound on earth, shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you will have released on earth, shall be released also in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of those among you have agreed on earth, about anything whatsoever that they have requested, it shall be done for them by my Father, who is in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I, in their midst.” Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?” Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times.”

These passages contain our Lord’s teachings on conflict resolution within the church. Let us take a look at each of these verses in more detail.

Verse 15: “If your brother has sinned against you, go and correct him, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you will have regained your brother.”

In this verse, Jesus instructs His followers on how to deal with a fellow believer who has sinned. The first step is to confront the person in private, with the goal of helping them see their error and repent. This is important because it protects the reputation of the person who sinned and helps prevent the spread of rumours or gossip. There could have been a simple misunderstanding, thus a private meeting with the brother or sister is in order.

Verse 16: “But if he will not listen you, invite with you one or two more, so that every word may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses.”

If our brother does not listen to the initial private confrontation, the next step is to bring in one or two other believers as witnesses. This is done to establish the facts of the situation and ensure that the person has been given ample opportunity to repent.

Verse 17: “And if he will not listen to them, tell the Church. But if he will not listen to the Church, let him be to you like the pagan and the tax collector.”

If the individual still does not repent after the involvement of one or two witnesses, then the matter should be brought before the entire local church. If the person still refuses to repent, then they should be treated as an unbeliever, which may include being excommunicated.

Verse 18: “Amen I say to you, whatever you will have bound on earth, shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you will have released on earth, shall be released also in heaven.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of church discipline and the authority given to the Church to exercise it. When the local assembly of believers and the Church as a whole follow the process outlined by Jesus, they can be confident that their actions are in line with God’s Will.

Verse 19-20: “Again I say to you, that if two of those among you have agreed on earth, about anything whatsoever that they have requested, it shall be done for them by my Father, who is in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I, in their midst.”

These verses should remind us of the power of prayer and the importance of unity within the Church. When believers come together in agreement and seek only God’s Will, His justice and His Kingdom (St. Matt. 6:33), we can have confidence that He will answer our prayers.

Verse 21-22: “Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times? Jesus said to him: I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times.”

St. Peter’s question about forgiveness prompts our Lord to teach about the importance of extending forgiveness to others. The phrase “seventy times seven times” is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a symbol of limitless forgiveness. Just as God forgives us without limit, we should extend the same grace to others.

SOLVING AN ISSUE TOGETHER

When two Christians have a conflict between themselves, they should follow the principles laid out in Matthew 18:15-22 for conflict resolution within the church. Here is a summarised step-by-step approach to what we just discussed above:

Go to the person privately: The first step is to approach the person directly and privately to address the issue. This should be done in a spirit of humility, love, and a desire for reconciliation. The goal is to listen to each other’s perspectives, express concerns, and work towards an appropriate resolution.

Take one or two others: If the private conversation does not resolve the issue, the next step is to bring one or two witnesses to mediate. The witnesses should be impartial and trusted individuals from within the church who can help facilitate communication and understanding between the two parties.

Bring the matter before the church: If the previous steps have not led to a resolution, the matter should be brought before the church. This means involving the priest who can provide guidance and help find a solution.

Pray and seek reconciliation: Throughout the process, it is important to pray for wisdom, guidance, and the Holy Spirit’s help in bringing about reconciliation. Both parties should be committed to finding a solution that honours God, upholds biblical principles, respects our traditions and promotes peace and unity within the Church.

It is also important to approach conflict resolution with a spirit of humility, gentleness, and patience, as St. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:2-3: “With all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.”

IMPORTANT REASONS TO FORGIVE

Forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of Christian life and teachings. Jesus teaches us to forgive others as we have been forgiven by God (Matthew 6:14-15). He also modelled forgiveness Himself, even forgiving those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).

Forgiveness is important for several reasons. Let’s look at four of these in particular.

First, it allows us to let go of anger, bitterness, and resentment towards others. Holding on to these negative emotions can be harmful to our mental and emotional health, as well as our relationships with others.

Second, forgiveness is an act of obedience to God. In Colossians 3:13, Paul instructs us to “support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do.” By forgiving others, we show our trust and faith in God’s justice and mercy.

Third, forgiveness is necessary for reconciliation and healing in relationships. When we forgive others, we create the possibility for restoration and rebuilding of trust. This can lead to deeper and more meaningful relationships with others.

Fourth, forgiveness is essential for our own spiritual growth and maturity. As we forgive others, we become more like Christ, who shows us the ultimate example of forgiveness. By extending grace and mercy to others, we demonstrate the love and compassion of God to a hurting and broken world.

Again, forgiveness is an important aspect of Christian life, as it helps us to heal, grow, and build healthy relationships with others.

POINTS TO PONDER

Forgiveness is a central aspect of the gospel message. The entire message of salvation is rooted in the fact that God has forgiven us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. If we are to fully embrace this message, we must also extend forgiveness to others, as Jesus taught in the parable of the unforgiving servant. (Matthew 18:21-35)

Forgiveness breaks the cycle of revenge and retaliation. When we choose to forgive, we resist the urge to seek revenge or repay evil with evil. (1 Peter 3:9) Instead, we demonstrate a different way of responding to conflict and wrongdoing, one that is based on love and grace rather than anger, bitterness and pettiness.

Forgiveness promotes healing and restoration. When we forgive someone who has hurt us, we open the door to healing and restoration in the relationship. This does not mean that everything will automatically go back to the way it was before, but it does allow for the possibility of growth and reconciliation.

Forgiveness helps us to see others as God sees them. When we hold onto anger and bitterness towards someone, we tend to focus only on their flaws and mistakes. But when we choose to forgive, we are reminded that they are also beloved children of God, just like we are. This can help us to see them in a more compassionate and empathetic light.

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. It is important to remember that forgiveness is not the same as forgetting or excusing wrongdoing, nor is it necessarily a feeling of warmth or affection towards the person who hurt us. Rather, forgiveness is a conscious decision to release the person from the debt they owe us and to entrust the situation to God’s care. It is a choice that we make, with God’s help, for our own well-being and spiritual growth.

THINK ABOUT THIS

Jesus’ teachings on conflict resolution in this passage are primarily directed towards members of the church community. It is important to note that these guidelines may not apply in the same way to conflicts between believers and non-believers, or in situations where there is abuse or danger involved.

The goal of confronting someone who has sinned is not to shame or condemn them, but to help them recognize their wrongdoing and reconcile with God and others. This requires humility, patience, and a genuine desire for the person’s well-being.

The involvement of witnesses in the process of conflict resolution serves multiple purposes. First, it provides an objective account of what happened, which can help prevent misunderstandings or false accusations. Second, it creates accountability for both parties involved, as well as for the church as a whole. Third, it allows for the wisdom and guidance of other believers to be brought into the situation. The concept of unlimited forgiveness in verses 21-22 can be challenging for some to put into practice, especially in cases where the offence is repeated or ongoing. However, it is important to remember that forgiveness does not mean excusing or ignoring wrongdoing, nor does it necessarily mean reconciliation or restoration of trust. Rather, forgiveness involves letting go of the desire for revenge or retaliation and entrusting justice and healing to God. It also involves recognising one’s own need for forgiveness and the mercy that has been extended to us through Christ.

God bless you +
Rev. Fr. Charles