By Praveen Bandula csc –
Readings: Ezek 9: 1-7, 10: 18-22; Mt 18: 15-20
In today’s gospel reading Jesus says, ‘for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ What else does a believer need other than these reassuring words from God? Many times, we doubt whether God is with us or not. Especially when we face problems and difficulties, we question God’s presence in our lives.
Through the Gospel reading, Jesus reminds us that he is with us. What do we need to do to recognize God’s presence with us? We need to extend our love and concern to our neighbors. The reading begins with how we need to reconcile with our neighbor. This shows that we need to find a way to reconcile with others. When we strongly believe that someone went against us our natural tendency is to avoid, expose, and humiliate that person in public. But the Lord says that we must correct him personally and if he does not listen, to take him to one or two others who are trustworthy and just and help him to realize his sin. If he fails there too, take him to the Church or community.
The entire process is a message for you and me that we do not reject a person because he sinned against us. Rather, try to correct him because the action of the person is not more important than the person. If we want to have God’s presence amidst us, we need to have peace with others.
When we love our neighbor, the Lord will dwell among us in the form of love. For where there is love, there is forgiveness, where there is forgiveness there is peace, and where there is peace, there is the presence of Jesus.