SIN...FORGIVENESS AND LOVE (Matthew 18:15-20)
Once there was a huge fight among a fifty-dollar bill, a twenty-dollar bill and a dollar. The fifty-dollar bill said, "My boss is the best because he takes me to big malls and where I see nice and beautiful things". And the twenty-dollar bill said, "My master is the best because he takes me to nice restaurants and show places". And the dollar was sad and said, "My master never takes me to big malls or any show place. He only takes me to Church".
Because of arguments and fights, one may sin against another. Sin is something that we do on purpose. Sin is something that we do against God, others and ourselves.
In today's gospel, Jesus says if our brother or sister sins against us, we should first talk to him, if he doesn't listen to us, then with the help of two or three witnesses, we should point out his wrong doings. If he refuses then, we should let the church know. Even if he refuses to listen to the church, then we should let him be a tax-collector or gentile to us.
We may approach this gospel according to our modern times. When our brother or sister does something bad or wrong, we should help him to go to counselling. we should help him for one on one counselling. As we know there are so many methods of counselling available today such as behaviour, talk and psycho-therapy. when he does not do it or he refuses to go to one on one counselling, then we should try with group therapy. For example, it is like alcohol anonymous. He may find somebody with his same condition there and thus he may come out of his struggles and problems. This may help him to find the love and kindness of Jesus the lord. When he does not do group therapy, then we should help him to do some community action or service. By helping the helpless, one may come to know of himself, others and God.
when nothing works, then we have to let him be tax-collector or gentile. Here comes a big difference between society and Christianity. when a person does wrong or goes against the law, then he will be punished and he will be sent to prison or jail. But Jesus tells us to call him tax-collector or gentile. It means we should love the person more and more. yes, we should do like our master. Once, according to the gospels, while Jesus was walking with his apostles, saw a man in a tax booth, counting money, He right away had compassion for him and with love, called him to follow. He immediately left everything behind and followed Jesus Christ. Yes, Matthew the tax collector became one of the apostles and gospel writer. Jesus also had special love for the gentiles. For example, woman at the well. Jesus who gives life-giving water asked her for water.
when we like Jesus love our brothers and sisters who go against us, whatever we bind or loose on earth, will be bound or loosed in heaven. Jesus promises that we may have life-everlasting. We should never hate or abandon our brothers or sisters for their wrong doings instead we should love them more and more like Jesus does. Then we may proudly say that we belong to Christ the Lord. Amen.
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