Today, we are considering one of the most troubling texts for many of us in the Biblebecause it tells us to do something that

we can do. And for many of us, it is also one of the most reassuring passages. Today we consider Matthew Chapter 18: 15-20 (read the text here?). Reading the first part of the text, who wants to confront a sinner? Isnt it a lot easier to say nothing? Isnt it easier to blow off steam by talking about it with our friends? Who likes confrontation? The Greek makes it even harder; in the Greek, it is not another member of the church; it is, brother. So now we are responsible not just to our fellow church members but also Robin at the office, Peter on the softball team and Joe in class. Other ancient authorities lack the against you, meaning that now we could be responsible for anyone that we observe sinning, not just those sinning against us. In this time between the Transfiguration and before the entry into Jerusalem, Jesus is teaching as many life-lessons before his death as possible, telling his followers and us today many things we do not want to hear but need to hear. In this teaching about confronting sinners, there is no miracle-working being demanded here from us. We have no opportunity here to hide behind our 21st century explanations of why we cant do miracles today. Todays verse just says go and do this- and all of us can, if we wish. And that is the beauty of this text- we just do it. Jesus is telling us how to live a harmonious life, both within and without. I love Jesus teachings because of their eminent practicality. Here, for example, dont we really feel better when we are in harmony with our sisters and brothers? Dont we like it better when our stomach is not in knots but we have made the effort to confront a sinner (or, as in another passage, when we know we are the problem and are told to reconcile ourselves with the person whom we have hurt)?
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The second part of the text emphasizes again how important the community of believers was to Jesus, how important the church was to become to the faith. Christ tells us that when two or three are gathered in His Name, He is there. Our Redeemer is indeed telling us to gather. Finally, Jesus tells us what we do here affects Heaven. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. I am unclear what the terms bind and loose, mean in strict historical context, after consulting commentaries. But I would like us to imagine for a moment that if we produce harmony here on Earth, then there is a beautiful harmony also in Heaven. And by the same token, might it not be that when we produce disharmony here on Earth, we also cause disharmony in Heaven? Do you want to be the one to know that you just disrupted Heavens harmony? I love the idea that the beautiful tapestry of Creation which God has woven connects Heaven and Earth, people and God, to such a degree that disharmony between just two of us cause ripple effects. In this one text, Jesus gives us practical living advice, teaches why gathering together with others is important and that God loves us so much that we even affect Heaven. So yes, the text troubles many of us because it demands we do an uncomfortable thing- confrontation. But it is also extraordinarily reassuring in that right now, with the person to your right and to your left, by being there together, so is Jesus.

Anthony J. San Filippo 9/23/11

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