Sunday, September 6, 2026 – Mt 18:15-20 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Pope Francis said, “It is impossible to believe on our own. Faith is not simply an individual decision which takes place in the depths of the believer’s heart, nor a completely private relationship between the believer and the divine. By its very nature, faith … takes place within her communion.”
We may think at times we can go it alone, but there comes a time when we all must realize we cannot. This is our Christian life to grow and live our faith together. We come together to worship. We come together to receive the Sacraments in this community. And, then we go from the doors of this church and be disciples in this world together.
God gives us clear direction through Christ in today’s Gospel. Jesus says, “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. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you… If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.”
Jesus is not telling us to judge another person. He is telling us that it is our obligation to help lead another person that has gone astray back in line with following the Lord. In seminary, we called this fraternal correction. When we had a concern for our brother, such as they are not following the “Rules of the House,” we approached them out of love to try and lead our brother back to where the Lord wants him to be. It was only a last resort when we would go to the faculty of the seminary to step in. This is what each of us here is called to do – to lovingly help each other follow the way of the Lord. As Saint Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, to follow the Commandments, to follow the Lord, and in so doing, “[to] love your neighbor as yourself.”
So, how do we do we help our brothers and sisters in Christ? First and foremost, we must have ourselves in the right direction. Ask yourself, how do you see your faith? Is it “Me and Jesus?” If so, then this is only half of what it means to be a disciple. Our faith has to be “We and Jesus.” Together we make up the body of Christ.
Then, there are two avenues of correction we can take in our life of discipleship. First, if we are helping another person, we approach them with unconditional love, humility and do so in a personal relationship with that person in attempting to help them. It is not to be accusatory, not to tell them they must change or else, but to tell them of your concern for them, seek to offer help, and most of all pray for them. Let them know you care for them and that you are open to helping them.
The second avenue of correction is to be willing to receive correction from another person. Now, this can be very difficult. Just as we approach another person, we must also receive correction from others in a loving and humble way and to allow the personal relationship help lead us back to where we are meant to be. We should try not to react but try to listen and respond. That is to listen and be open to what someone is trying to help you with and respond by trying to understand and accept when you realize in your heart that it may be a correction truly needed in yourself as you seek to follow the Lord.
Let us take time today to reflect on who in our lives we might need to help in a loving and caring way in their journey of faith. Let us reflect on what in our own lives we need to work on changing in our journey of faith. And maybe think of someone close to you that can help you to make the change in you a reality.
We are in this together. That is what our faith and our Lord teaches us. Let us give thanks today for the people God has brought into our lives that help lead you and I in striving to be true authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen.