Jesus shatters the illusion that we are alone in the Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
He gives very practical, very difficult advice on forgiveness and prayer that amounts to: We’re all in this together — until we realize that, tragically, we are not.
The command to reprimand our friends is one of the most difficult commands of Jesus.
Jesus begins today’s advice to his disciples with: “If your brother sins against you, go tell him the fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.”
St. John Chrysostom points out what Jesus doesn’t say you should do. “He does not say ‘accuse him’ or ‘punish him’ or ‘take him to court.’ He says ‘correct him.’ … Help him see his indiscretion. Tell him what you have suffered from him.”
One possible result of that is a reconciliation — growing closer. But there is another strong possibility. Jesus addresses that next: “If he does not listen, take one or…
