The gospel provides a clear, loving way to fix broken relationships.

It calls believers to seek peace, own their wrongs, and extend grace to others.

This process values healing over winning an argument.

Admit your part of the wrong and freely offer the same forgiveness God gave you.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22*

Yahweh shouted

Loudly in my ears saying, "The punishment of the city is near; see,

each one of these has in his hand his instrument of destruction."

And six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north,

each one with his instrument of destruction. With them

was a man clothed in linen, with writing materials at his side.

They came; and stopped near the altar of bronze.

 

Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from the cherubim,

where it rested; and went to the threshold of the house.

Yahweh called to the man clothed in linen; who had the material

for writing at his side; and he said to him, "Pass through the center of the city,

through Jerusalem, and trace a cross on the forehead of the men who sigh and groan,

because of all the abominations committed in it."

I heard him say to the others, "Now you may pass through the city, after him,

and strike. Your eyes shall not look with pity; show no mercy!

 

Do away with them all – old men, young men, virgins,

children and women – but do not touch anyone marked with a cross."

And, as they were told to begin with the Sanctuary, they struck the elders

who were in front of the temple. Yahweh said to them,

"Let the courts be filled with the slain and the temple be defiled with their blood: Go out!"

They went and slew the people in the city. (...)

 

Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

The glory of the Lord is higher than the skies.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 18:15-20

If your brother has sinned against you, go and point out the fault to him

when the two of you are alone; and if he listens to you, you have won back your brother.

If he doesn't listen to you, take with you one or two others,

so that the case may be decided by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembled Church.

 

But if he does not listen to the Church, then regard him as a pagan, or a tax collector.

I say to you: whatever you bind on earth, heaven will keep bound;

and whatever you unbind on earth, heaven will keep unbound.

In like manner, I say to you, if, on earth, two of you agree in asking for anything,

it will be granted to you by my heavenly Father,

for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there, among them."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Reconciliation is both divine and communal.

The gospel offers a compassionate and structured process for resolving conflict

and addressing sin within the Christian community. It begins with private reconciliation,

where the aggrieved party approaches the offender one-on-one. This step reflects the importance

of preserving dignity and fostering understanding. Private dialogue allows grace

and truth to flow in an environment of trust, often bringing about repentance and healing.

 

If this fails, Jesus teaches us to involve one or two witnesses, ensuring fairness and accountability.

The goal is never to shame but to restore relationships within the framework of love and justice.

If the issue persists, the matter is brought before the community,

emphasizing the group's role in upholding righteousness and offering guidance.

 

Church discipline, when carried out with humility and compassion,

reinforces the sanctity of the body of Christ. Most significantly,

Jesus promises His presence wherever two or three gather in His name.

His presence empowers and assures us that reconciliation is both divine and communal,

rooted in love and unity. Through this reconciliation process,

the Christian community reflects the heart of God – restoring, not condemning.