“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 (Mt. 18:15-20).”
Jesus gave a three-stage process (the first two based on Mosaic Law) for disciplining those who sin or stray from the path of truth but remain in the community: (1) Try to correct them privately (Lv. 19:17); (2) Take two or three members and discuss the matter with them (Dt. 19:15); (3) Bring the matter before the whole assembled community. If all that fails expel them from the community (Titus 3:10). The Church leaders are given the same power as Peter to ‘bind and loose,’ but they are not given the power of the keys to the kingdom; “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Mt. 16:19).” If two or three members of the community pray on an issue their prayers will be answered; “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you (Jn. 15:7).” This passage addresses three important aspects in the life of the Church – Fraternity or brotherly love, Pastoral authority and prayer.
Almighty God, Grant us the grace to look out for each other and to follow the example of Christ to ensure that none of us may be lost. When we stray from the path of truth gently lead us back through correction so that we may not be excluded from communion with you. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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