READ MT 18:15-20 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. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE GOSPEL.
UNDERSTAND by Father Greg Friedman, OFM Belonging to a religious order is like belonging to a family. We Franciscans try to treat each other in the same fashion—as family. And that goes for tough times as well as good times. Once in a great while we have to confront a brother with a problem and seek to help him—or get help for him—in a loving way. Such “tough love” isn’t easy; it’s not easy in natural families either. Today’s Gospel gives Christ’s step-by-step plan for dealing with someone in the community who sins. Much like a charitable intervention in a family, Jesus urges us to begin “one on one,” so as to minimize the embarrassment or good reputation of the person. Only when necessary are others to be included, and then with proper evidence.