Religious Education 

WEEKEND GOSPEL 

GOSPEL   Matthew 18:15-20

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

If your brother or sister listens to you, you will have won that person back.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.

‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’

‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

 A beginning point for discussion of this week's Gospel with children:

• Who has known someone who sinned against a friend?
• What did they do wrong?
• How did they make up?
• In today’s Gospel what does Jesus say to do if someone sins against you? (point out what is wrong in private)
• What does he say you should do if you have sinned against someone? (listen to what they have to say)

Jesus says we need to be honest and respect each other in times of difficulty.

• How can we do this at school and at home?