Education in Faith

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 18 : 15 - 20

Scripture Background

In this week’s Gospel, we find the early Church trying to live out Jesus’ command to love one another. Jesus wants his followers to make every effort to give another chance to the people who do things that are wrong. If they listen, Jesus wants them to be welcomed back into the Church family. If the wrongdoers refuse to listen, the first time, other members of the Church should be called upon to help.

This Gospel passage shows that a change of heart is always possible. People can change their ways and we should help those who make mistakes. God forgives sinners and offers them a new start. Jesus makes the point that prayer is important because reconciliation is a gift from God.

We hear Jesus’ command to “repent” right from the start. We are created to be good and to live in friendship with God, but too often, we turn away from God’s love for us. Sometimes we make choices that do not respect others or ourselves.

The sacraments help us to live as children of God. Through these sacraments, God’s love heals us and we become closer to God. We do not always do the good things that we should do. As God’s children, we are called back to friendship with God and God’s people, the Church. Our faith tells us that God will forgive us and make us like new.

Jesus gave his Church the power to forgive sins. When we sin, we have the opportunity to be reconciled with God and the Church through the sacrament of Reconciliation. Reconciliation restores our relationship of love and friendship with God. We must listen to how Jesus wants his followers to give people who make mistakes a chance to try again.