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Gospel Reading for August 12, 2026 – Matthew 18: 15-20
SINCERE DIALOGUE
Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church. If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, 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. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
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We have to understand that every conflict has two sides, and Jesus teaches us that the best way to resolve conflict is through SINCERE DIALOGUE. Through SINCERE DIALOGUE, both parties are given the opportunity to present their side, listen to one another, and seek a win-win solution. For Christians, a win-lose outcome cannot be considered a true solution to conflict. When one side is defeated rather than understood, the conflict often returns—sometimes beginning with something small, then gradually growing into something far more serious and much harder to resolve.
If conflict arises within the Church and SINCERE DIALOGUE fails, Jesus says, “then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.” During Jesus’ time, Gentiles and tax collectors were regarded as outsiders. Yet Jesus treated them with charity, compassion, and hope. He gave them opportunities to change, welcomed them into his presence, like the Syrophoenician woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter. He even made Matthew the tax collector one of his Twelve Apostles. When Zacchaeus, another tax collector, climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus, Jesus stopped beneath the tree, called him down, and chose to dine in his house. Rather than rejecting him, Jesus reached out to him with love.
The song “One God” beautifully expresses this truth:
“So many children calling to him by many a different name,
One Father loving each the same.”
God loves us unconditionally. He does not decide who deserves to be loved and who does not, nor does he love one person less and another more. Since we are created in his image and likeness, he calls us to love others in the same way—with fairness, mercy, and compassion.
The worsening wars around the world are painful proof that peace can be attained only when people are willing to listen to one another through SINCERE DIALOGUE. Without listening, misunderstanding grows; without understanding, hatred deepens; and where hatred reigns, peace cannot endure.
Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace and love!
