It’s rare we see such specific instructions from God. But our scripture today is very detailed and gives us a step-by-step process for how to handle others who we believe sin against us.
How different from what the world would say. How different it appears from even the commandment to love and forgive others.
We are to talk to them face to face in private. The concern stays between you both. Only after that does not work do you bring in two or more to listen to the issue and establish the facts as they have happened. If this also does not bring about a solution and resolution, then we are to take it to the church. And if he doesn’t listen to the church, we are told to treat him as one outside the family, outside our accepted community, cut off from our life and work and whole world.
When I read this I think maybe we often just cut people off who offend us from the start. We don’t seek a solution. The term these days is to ghost someone. We simply stop talking, emailing, or responding at all.
Today we are asked to at least try repairing the breach in trust and relationship first.
How many family members do we no longer talk to?
How many friends are no longer in our circle?
Our mission is to be Christ for others and be the light for others. We should always be striving to reach out to brothers and sisters and heal wounds. Forgive yes! Love always! Strive to heal and shine the light of truth and love!
Gospel
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.”
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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