RULES FOR RECONCILIATION

Homily for August 16^th, 2017: Matthew 18:15-20.

          In the gospel we heard Jesus giving instructions about how to handle disputes in the Christian community. They have existed from the beginning. Luke’s gospel tells us, for instance, and that even at the Last Supper they argued over “who should be regarded as the greatest” (22:24). The instructions Jesus gives owe much to existing rabbinical rules for the settlement of disputes, yet bear the imprint of Jesus’ compassion for human weakness. He outlines a three-fold procedure.

          Jesus’ first step is personal confrontation of the offender: “Tell him his fault between you and him alone.” “But, of course,” we say. In fact, too often this is exactly what the offended party does not do. It is much easier to avoid direct confrontation and instead to tell everyone who will listen how badly the offender has behaved.

          I witnessed this years go when I worked in the office of the archdiocese as Vice Chancellor. We received many telephone calls complaining about things done by priests in parishes. Many of them were put through to me. “Have you talked to Father about this?” I would always ask. In almost all cases the answer was No. “Go and see him,” I would always advise the caller. “A letter or e-mail is too impersonal. Have a personal conversation.” That is Jesus’ advice: “If he listens to you, you have won over your bother.”  

          Only if that fails should you proceed to the second step, Jesus says. “Take one or two others along with you.” They will be able to testify to what was said and done. Only if this second step fails to achieve reconciliation, should you go public: “Tell the Church,” Jesus says, meaning the local Christian community. “If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or tax collector.” This final step – and it should always be saved for last – is what we today call excommunication.

At each stage there is opportunity for repentance and reconciliation. This is how God treats us, as Pope Francis tells us often when he says: “God never gets tired of forgiving. It is we who get tired of asking for forgiveness.”

          The gospel reading concludes with the wonderfully reassuring words: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”