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Gospel Reading for August 13, 2025 – Matthew 18: 15-20
WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING
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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Jesus tells us that if someone sins against us to go and tell the person his/her fault with him alone. When we talk to the person alone, that person can still explain his/her side and the matter can immediately be settled between the two of you. But, if he does not listen, Jesus tells us to bring one or two others more to help us and be witnesses. Perhaps, the person will be able to think and see more clearly if there are more people involved. If the person still does not listen, to tell the Church whose responsibility is to guide its members. If this still fails, Jesus tells us to treat the person as he treated the gentiles and tax collectors: WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING. We also turn to God in prayer and patiently wait for the person to see the light. Sometimes, the person just needs more time. God patiently waits for us to see the light. As Christians, we are expected to do the same.
Lord Jesus, give us wisdom, patience and understanding so we may treat those who wrong us as you would.
