Building a Better Community

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Romans 13:8-10
Matthew 18:15-20
September 4, 2011

Today Jesus gives us some instruction about how to deal with those who have sinned against us.

Note there is no mention of revenge.  There is no mention of punishment (except being treated as a Gentile or tax collector).  There is no mention of restitution.  

That’s because Jesus’ point isn’t revenge or punishment.  Here, Jesus’ point is to help the sinner become a better person.

So, “the process” starts with a one-on-one discussion.  Why?  Because perhaps the person doesn’t realize what they have done or that it was wrong.  Maybe it is all a misunderstanding that can be cleared up just between the two people involved.  I might add that in this one-on-one discussion we should also be offer to considering our own responsibility in the situation.  Did we do something wrong?

If the person does not listen, we are to gather two or three witnesses (in accord with Deuteronomy 19:15) but we are not just to look for witnesses who will agree with us.  This process that Jesus gives us is not about proving we are right.  Instead, its purpose is to come to the truth.  One-on-one, each side may have their own opinion.  The witnesses help establish the facts and the truth.  

Then, if the person is still not listening or realizing what they have done, Jesus says to take them to the church.  The church is responsible for leading us in knowing God’s will for us as a community.  No one individual knows all of God’s plan but together it can come into focus.

Only if the person does not listen to the church, does the mention of any “punishment” come up.  The person is to be treated as a Gentile or tax collector, meaning expulsion (excommunication) from the community.  

But I hesitate to call this punishment.  As described, the point is not “punishment” (not that being thrown out of church is fun).  The point is what is good for the community.  If the person sins, it can harm the community.

Now in the history of Christianity, there have been churches who might seek to cast out anyone who is not perfect.  Since no one (except Jesus) is perfect this didn’t last long.  

Recognizing our own imperfections, we should not rush to cast out the sinners.  What’s Jesus getting at?  Fraternal correction – helping each other to sin no more and to carefully avoid the occasions of sin.  

In fact, while the reading looks to start out by involving a sin between two people, “If your brother sins against you” many of the early copies of Matthew’s Gospel don’t include the words “against you.”  So, the idea is that if we see anyone sinning, we would point it out to them.

Now, this could cause a lot of trouble!  It’s probably not going to help to point out every fault you see another person make.  Example – have you tried “correcting” every one of your spouse’s faults?  How well did that go over?

Of course, there is the other extreme.  If you think your spouse does some things wrong and never point them out to them (keeping it all in yourself) how does that work out?  

Does a parent correct every mistake of a child?

So what faults do we point out?

Obviously there are big items; the church calls them “mortal sin.”  If you see someone murder someone you should speak up (but in that case, I suggest you go to the police and not deal with it yourself).

Do you see a friend going down a destructive path (slippery slope)?  Maybe they started with one drink but it has grown.  The alcohol blurs their judgment so they may not even realize their drinking has increased.

Another way of thinking about it is to ask yourself if you were doing the same thing, would you want someone to help us you realize it?

Sometimes, we might not want to say something because we know the person is going through tough times.  Ask yourself is the tough time causing the sin (then help them with the tough time) or is the sin causing the tough time (then help them to realize it).

Jesus tells us not to be judgmental.  When we point out the sins of others, it should never be in I am a ‘better than you’ attitude.  The point is to help each other become better individual Christian disciples and together a better Christian Community in accord with God’s will.