Teach Them

Today’s Gospel Text: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, 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. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt 18:15-20

Reflection: One of the lessons we learn from this paragraph of scripture is that of forgiveness.

But there are other lessons too and one of them is the Christian attitude towards morality, ethics and the importance of education and teaching people the right doctrine.

The task that Jesus enjoins on us is not an easy one;  imagine, the brother who sins against you is that wild one, the notorious type who may come back to trample you under his foot for having given him the pearl of a good advice on good behavior. (cfr. Mt. 7:6)

That would always be difficult but scripture always teaches us the extremes of love “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

Jesus did it perfectly on the cross and likewise his dedicated disciples.

We as Christians are called to teach the world the morality of living, which primarily begins with teaching ourselves first in the school of Christ, who still teaches us the way of God:

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (cfr. 1 Jn. 2:27)

It is only after we have learned in this school, with the tradition, scripture and magisterium to enable us that we can be instruments to correct our brothers and sisters when in the wrong.

If anyone thinks that this is like acting superior then they are self-conceited and do not understand the revealed word of God; Jesus Christ.

They could be termed as pseudo-disciples or pseudo-Christians working like fifth columns as Satan’s instrument to destroy the church of Christ.

“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Eph 5:17

Prayer:  Lord, we thank you for the anointing you give us, may we always seek to learn from what you have given us.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us