- First Reading: Ezek 9:1–7; 10:18–22
- Responsorial Psalm: Ps 113:1–2, 3–4, 5–6
- Gospel: Matt 18:15–20
Many of the Fathers of the Church say that we have to read this passage alongside the encounter between the Lord and Saint Peter, when Peter asks him, “How many times must I forgive my brother?” The Lord tells him, “Seventy-seven times”—that is, an infinite number. No matter what happens, we have to keep forgiving.
They say these passages need to be read together because they complement one another. In that other passage, the Lord tells us that, for our own sake and our own holiness, we always have the obligation to forgive. Here, however, he reminds us that we also have obligations to one another. He intends to establish a Church, a community, and that gives us responsibility not only for ourselves but also for our brothers and sisters.
If my brother sins against me, it is not only in my interest to forgive him; it is also in his interest to repent. So I have an obligation to go to him and say, “You did this, and this was the effect.” I need to give him the opportunity to repent, because repentance brings healing to him as well.
The main point the Lord is making is that we are all in this together. We are all striving for holiness. We are all seeking the kingdom of God, and we need one another to make it.
These can be sensitive moments. It is not easy to approach someone and tell him that you think he has done wrong. The Lord tells us to begin one-on-one. Begin with the simplest possible case, without drawing other people in or making it a bigger matter, and give that person the opportunity to respond. If he still will not listen, take one other trusted person, and then bring it to the whole Church.
It is a progressive movement, all for the sake of bringing healing and reconciliation. That is always the goal. The Lord never tells us to seek vengeance against our brother. He does not tell us to punish him. Everything here is aimed at bringing about healing and increasing holiness in others.
So it is good for us to remember that, even when we do the hard work of forgiving another, there are often two parties involved. We truly do have responsibility for those around us. Sometimes we need to step in and say something in order to make authentic healing possible for everyone and to draw each person closer to the kingdom of God and eternal life with our Lord.