Readings for Sunday, September 4, 2011

Proper 18A

Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 149

Romans 13:8-14

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples, “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.  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.”

My first challenge to you in this reading is to think about what is being said here and to realize this is the problem of a much more highly organized Christian Church community than the small community of Jesus and his disciples.  Having said that, the process described serves us to emphasize the need to do everything possible to maintain the community and avoid schisms. 

Three steps are given when one member of the community sins against another.  First the offended party should take the initiative to restore the severed relationship by going to the person and explaining the offense.  Here we see that forgiveness and reconciliation begin with an intentional encounter between alienated individuals. 

I believe the point of the suggested three-step procedure is to provide several opportunities for repentance and reconciliation in order to maintain the well-being and unity of the community.   Both parties must be listeners to the other.  The process is based upon an honest expectation of good will and reflects Jesus’ law of love.

Questions for discussion:

1.     

Think about a conflict from your own experience.  What were the factors that influenced the eventual outcome.  What was your initial response to conflict?

2.     

How could the process Jesus described be applied to resolve dissention in the Church today?

3.     

In what ways could these basic steps be helpful in your personal relationships?

4.     

Under what circumstances do you think the final step of expulsion from the community might be warranted?  At what point does the welfare of the entire community take precedence over maintaining relationship with a particular individual?