27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

October 4, 2020

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 5: 1-7

Psalm 80 “The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.”

Second Reading: Philippians 4: 6-9

Gospel reading according to Matthew 21: 33-43

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Homily:

In this time of the Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4, 2020), as the encyclical letter of Pope Francis′ Laudato Si (Revolution), indicating that Mother Earth is our “common home, and it needs our protection.”  We are reminded that out of God′s overflowing love, and he wanted to share this love, so God created.  We are all created by One God and Father of all.  In the beginning of time, when everything was void and empty, God created the universe, the world and all that it contained, (animals, plants, birds, fish, etc.), and last he created man and woman to share with them the responsibility to be stewards and caretakers of all creation (cf. Genesis 1: 1-31) and not to destroy it, overpower it nor own it, for they belong to Him. 

Today also we are celebrating the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology and our model of love of creation and of Christ Jesus to follow.  He taught us to care for the creation for it showed the images (vestiges) of God in them and to give praise to God who made them.   He taught us also to take care and love our Mother Earth and through it we give praise, honor, blessings and thanksgiving to God, our Creator.

Jesus, in today′s gospel, told the chief priests and elders of the people another parable of the vineyard.  “Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: ‵ Hear another parable.  There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey′.”  (Matthew 21: 33).  In his parable, he said a landowner (who is God) planted a vineyard.  That God created the earth and all it contains, and a portion of it he selected as his favorite site (Israel, Jerusalem).  The landowner fenced it to protect it from wild and strange animals and people.  He also put a wine press when the fruits of the grapes are ripe to make wine; beside he made a tower to watch and oversee the vineyard.  After doing all these, he went on a journey (rested) and hired tenants (the leaders and kings of the Israelites) who will work in his vineyard (Israel).  It so happened that the lessees had a bad intention, to own the land, use and abuse it for themselves.

The landowner, who has the right to the yields of the vineyard, naturally sent his servants (who were the prophets) to collect the produce of the land. “‵When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce‵.” (Matthew 21: 34).  When the time of harvest came near, he sent his servants (the prophets) to remind the tenants of reckoning their obligation to give the income of the vineyard. “‵But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned′.” (Matthew 21: 35).  The tenants instead maltreated the servants of the landowner with harsh words, beating, even killing some of them, and stoning.  Jesus reminds his listeners of what their ancestors did to the prophets of God who announced the destruction of Israel if their kings and leaders will not change their hearts and return Israelites to God′s precepts and commandments.

God did not stop sending servants (people, men and women, as his prophets) to remind the kings and leaders of the people Israel, this time the chief priests and elders, of their obligations to protect the people and nature entrusted to them.  But they used and abused their power and authority granted to them and what was entrusted to them.  “‵Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them the same way‵.” (Matthew 21: 36).  Again and again, the landowner (the Lord God) sent his servants to get what belongs to him.   The tenants (whom Jesus referred to the chief priests and elders of the people), became more stubborn and dangerous.  They would not like to lose in their hands the vineyard leased to them by the landowner.  Evil entered into their minds that they were the ones who took care, worked and produced the fruits of the vineyard.  So, they did the same as they did to the first servants sent by the landowner.

The love of God known before the creation of the world is shown, in the fullness of time, when almost all servants (the prophets) were sent, the landowner (God) decided to send his only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. “‵Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‵They will respect my son.′   But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‵This is the heir.  Come, let us kill and acquire his inheritance.′ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him‵.” (Matthew 21: 37-39).  This son of the landowner showed his kindness, gentleness, and loving concern to the tenants.  He just followed the will and command of his father.  But he did not expect the way he was treated by the tenants (the chief priests and the elders of the people).  They did too to the son of the landowner (the heir) what they did to the servants, and even worse.  He was rejected, “they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.”  This also happened to Jesus Christ.  He showed the love of God the Father by humbling himself, lived poor life and simple, without power and authority, instead he taught the Reign-Kingdom of God by feeding the hungry, curing every kind of diseases and illnesses, cleansing the possessed, raising the dead to life, which the leaders and elders are supposed to do, and yet in the end he was handed over to the chief priests and elders (the ones God had entrusted the vineyard), suffered, maltreated, disrespected, crucified and died on the cross outside the city of Jerusalem.

Then Jesus asked those listeners a question. “‵What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes′?” (Matthew 21: 40).  He answered, “‵They answered him, ‵He will put those wretched men to a wreathed death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times′.” (Matthew 21: 41).  God the Father is like the good father of the family. He punishes his children when they commit sins, and gives reward when they commit good. Sooner or later, he will punish gravely these tenants who did not remit what is due to him; who humiliated, killed and stoned his servants and his son.

Jesus added by saying, “‵Jesus said to them, ′Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?′  Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit′.” (Matthew 21: 42-43).  Jesus is the stone rejected by the chief priests and elders of the people Israel and it became the cornerstone of the house of God.  The cornerstone (or panulukang bato) is usually placed at the center of the ark of the bridge, put at the front of the building, and in any construction.  “The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a foundation of a building, for example.  All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone).  The vineyard (or the Reign-Kingdom of God) will be taken away from those who do not do what was agreed upon, who do not follow what is instructed to them, who disobey the will of God, and who do not give in return what is due to Him; and it will be given to those who would give to God the produce fruit of the vineyard in due time.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 

September 27, 2020 

Readings:

First Reading: Ezekiel 18: 25-28

Psalm 25 “Remember your mercies, Lord.”

Second Reading: Philippians 2: 1-11 (or 2: 1-5)

Gospel reading according to Matthew 21: 28-32

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Homily

Jesus asked the opinion of the chief priests and elders of the people, (his listeners) about the parable of the two sons whom their father asked them to go and work in their vineyard.  “Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‵What is your opinion?  A man had two sons.  He came to the first and said, ‵Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.′ He said in reply, ‵I will not, ′ but afterwards he changed his mind and went′.” (Matthew 21: 28-29).  The father came to the first son and told him to go out and work in the vineyard, but the son said in reply to his father′s request, “No, I will not go and work.”  It was not indicated by the evangelist Matthew the reason(s) why the first son did not want to go and work in their vineyard.  Most probably he was thinking they have many servants and the father also can hire laborers to work in their vineyard.  Or he was busy with worldly affairs and he wanted to enjoy life rather than to work under the hit of the sun (mababad sa araw at mainitan), perspire, get callous on his hands.  He wanted an easy and comfortable life.  Like the tax collectors and prostitutes (sinners), they wanted easy money.  But maybe he realized, as Jesus said, the goodness of the father and his industriousness to meet their daily needs, so he decided to go and work in their vineyard, any way it’s theirs.  The father learned what his first son did.

Jesus continued his parable. “The man came to the other son and gave the same order.  He said in reply, ‵Yes, sir, but did not go′.” (Matthew 21: 30).  The father came to the second son and said the same thing as he said to his first son. This second son answered his father with affirmative response.  He said, “Yes, I will go and work in the vineyard, but he did not go.”  Again, Matthew did not give us the reason(s) why the second son who said, “Yes,” but he did not show up. Most probably he too was busy in his own business affairs, did not want to be disturbed in his prayer, meditation, silencing, or even in his teaching and preaching the ordinary, simple, ignorant people in the synagogue or temple, or busy in writing and/or copying the scriptures, like the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, elders and leaders of the people and in the Temple in Jerusalem.  The father also saw what his second son did.

Jesus separated the two sons according to their own wishes, caprice, freedom and free will.  On the one hand, the first son first disregarded the will of his father but later obeyed the command of his father.  On the other hand, the second son first gave an affirmative response but later did not show up himself, go and work in their vineyard.

Then, Jesus asked them a question, “‵Which of the two did his father′s will?′  They answered, ‵The first.′  Jesus said to them, ‵Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you′.” (Matthew 21: 31).  He asked them, which of the two sons obeyed their father’s will.  And they answered, the first son.  Jesus told the chief priests and the elder that the first son represented the tax collectors and prostitutes.  They are sinners who disobeyed God′s will and command, who said, “No,” but when they heard the voice of God in the wilderness and his message through John the Baptist, that God loves them, for they are his children (sons and daughters) and he is their Father, loving, merciful and compassionate Father, and asking only one condition that they repent and turn back from their sins and change their lives (and they go and work in the vineyard).  The second son represented the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, elders and leaders of the people who did not listen to the voice in the wilderness but followed their own designs.

Jesus reminded the chief priests and the leaders of the people, (those who are learned, wise, holy, prayerful, teaching the Law of Moses, and all knowing), that the poor, simple, unlearned John who baptized and proclaimed repentance of sin for the Kingdom of God is at hand but not yet, many simple people, sinners and outcasts of society listened to John’s message except them.  “‵When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him′.” (Matthew 21: 32).  Jesus said that John came to them but they did not believe him, rather they disregarded his message of repentance for the sake of the Reign-Kingdom of God. They were chosen by God to lead the people of Israel, his vineyard, but instead they suppressed them, overpowered them and made themselves their lords and kings, instead of leading the people to God, their Father and Creator.  The tax collectors and prostitutes (those who are sinners) did obey the will of the Father.                                                             

God always gives us a chance to amend our lives.  He is always ready to welcome us to his vineyard (Reign-Kingdom of heaven) for we too are his children whom he loved, in spite of our sinfulness and disobedience. Either the first son or the second, if we treat the vineyard as our own, we do not need to be told by our Father to go and work, rather we are always ready to go and work in our vineyard, the Reign-Kingdom of God.

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

 

September 20, 2020 

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9

Psalm 145 “The Lord is near to all who call upon him.”

Second Reading: Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a

Gospel reading according to Matthew 20: 1-16

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Homily: Generous God              

Jesus taught his disciples about God′s Reign-Kingdom of Heaven through a parable.  He said that the Reign-Kingdom of heaven is likened to a landowner who owned land or vineyard and he needed laborers.  He (God) wanted to clean, prune, clear the ground to plant (grapes) in his vineyard.  “Jesus told his disciples this parable: ‵The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.  After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard′” (Matthew 20: 1-2).  This landowner went out at dawn to hire laborers.  At the dawn of the human race, God created man and called them Adam and Eve to work in his garden in Paradise. First, Adam and Eve were obedient to the landowner.  They were true stewards of all created things, e.g., animals, plants, trees that bear fruits, birds in the sky and fish that swim in the water, and others.  The entire earth was taken care of and well managed until Satan came and tempted the two to be relaxed and not to obey God′s command.   And sin entered the whole created world.  The animals, plants, trees, birds, fish, insects, etc. little by little, slowly, were unattended, carelessly left behind, declined, and wasted.  The first man and woman, whom the landowner called, were left to its own.

So, the landowner (God) went out to search for laborers who will work in his vineyard (this earth).  “‵Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‵You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just, so they went off′” (Matthew 20: 3-5).  God found Moses, who tended the sheep of his father-in-law Jethro in the mountain top in the morning (9 o′clock), when He showed himself in the burning bush. He called Moses to deliver his people, the Israelite, from the slavery in Egypt to the hands of Pharaoh.  Moses followed and obeyed God′s command, he liberated Israelites from slavery and brought out in the land of Egypt.  They journeyed to the Promised Land, to Canaan, but God must tested them their sincerity of hearts and their obedience, so for forty years they wandered in the wilderness, and in Mount Sinai God had proven those who were loyal to him and those who were against him, who made for themselves god or Baal, and because of this many were died of hunger and thirst, sickness, beaten by serpents and other chastisements.  The rest who were faithful to God were purified and cleansed from idols.  But still, there were some who were stubborn and hardheaded Jews, especially when they reached the Promised Land.  Instead of building unity and oneness as people of God they separated themselves and divided themselves among tribes, until they have chosen their kings (from Saul, David, and Solomon up to) to lead them instead of God, whom they called Yahweh!!

The landowner, Jesus said, came out again in the afternoon and looked for laborers in his vineyard, as if the landowner was not satisfied and content with the works of the laborers.  Nababagalan siya.  “‵And he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise′” (Matthew 20: 5).  This time, the landowner found a group of people separated from the rest, He called the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes, the Levites, the elders, the whole Sanhedrin, to take care of his sheep and lead them to Him.  At first they were industrious in shepherding the sheep but when wealth, power, authority and subordination of the people Israel came in to the leaders in the Temple, they abused and manipulated the simple, humble, poor men and women of Israel.  They neglected the sheep, they skinned them and used the hair as their clothes or sold them, they killed the fatten calves and ate them.

In the last hour of the day and in the fullness of time, the landowner came out and was still looking for laborers who will work in his vineyard.  This time he found his only begotten Son to labor in his Reign-Kingdom of heaven.  “‵Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‵Why do you stand here idle all day?′  They answered, ‵Because no one has hired us.′  He said to them, ‵You too go into my vineyard′” (Matthew 20: 6-7).  Jesus the glory of God and the wisdom of God came in the vineyard to fulfill what the landowner wished to accomplish.  He worked as his Father continued to work and created new things. He performed many miracles, healed the sick and possessed by Satan and his demons, fed the hungry, raised the dead, taught in the synagogues and in the Temple area, and in the end he suffered in the hands of those in power and authority (the elders and leaders in the Temple), crucified in the tree of life, offered his last breath to his Father, for the salvation of all created things, and to bring back the original plan of God as in the beginning and primordial of the time (in Paradise).

The reckoning came, and every laborers whom the landowner called, were summoned one by one from the last to the beginning. “‵When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‵Summon the laborers and give them their pay beginning with the last and ending with the first.′  When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage′” (Matthew 20: 8-9).  The foreman (an angel, we may say) whom the landowner (God) tasked to give the wages to the laborers who worked last, and they received the just (means what is due) wage as agreed up between them and the landowner. Walang labis, walang kulang.

On the one hand, Jesus said to his disciples, that those who were called at the beginning of the day, at dawn, were thinking to receive more than the last workers.  “‵So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more but each of them also got the usual wage.  And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‵These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day′s burden and the heat′” (Matthew 20: 10-12).  And, when they received their payment, they got the same amount as those who worked late. They became mad and furious, they cannot accept what they received as equal to those who worked late in the afternoon, for they thought they worked long hours, carried the heavy burden and very hard work, so it was their right and deserve to receive if not to demand higher wages.  They thought that the landowner was unfair and unjust.

But, on the other hand, Jesus presented the landowner as true to what they agreed up, no more, no less.  He never cheated the early comers who agreed “for the usual daily wage.”  “‵He said to one of them in reply, ‵My friend, I am not cheating you.  Did you not agree with me for the daily wage? Take what is yours and go.  What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Are you envious because I am generous′?” (Matthew 20: 13-15).  God is a generous landowner and just.  He is not stingy but lavishly gives what is due according to what He wishes.  Or maybe they have forgotten what they agreed upon between them and the landowner.  What they saw was the recompense received by those who worked late in the afternoon.  They also compared what they received with what others received.  The landowner reminded them of what they agreed upon before they started their works in his vineyard. 

We, too, also deserve what God has given to us.  We should be thankful that in our nothingness and idleness, and in times of need, whether at dawn, about nine o’clock, around noon, and around three o’clock, and about five o’clock he called us to work in his vineyard, the Reign-Kingdom of heaven.  We should think and feel that it is our opportunity to serve God in his mission here on earth, and we are nothing.  Though in the end we expect what He promised, eternal life in his Reign-Kingdom of heaven though we are not worthy to receive such blessing and grace.  “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20: 16). The first called became sinful and disobedient (like Adam and Eve), who were became enemies of God and against him, who made for themselves god or Baal, (like those Israelites whom Moses liberated from slavery in Egypt, and  those who have chosen their kings (from Saul, David, and Solomon up to) to lead them instead of God), those group of people separated from the rest, He called them Pharisees, Sadducees, the scribes, the Levites, the elders, the whole Sanhedrin, who supposed to take care his sheep and lead them to Him, but instead they neglected the sheep, they skinned them and used the hair as their clothes or sold them, they killed the fatten calves and ate them, sila ang nakinabang.  They became the last in the Reign-Kingdom of heaven.  The last called, the anawim of God, those who are simple, humble, ordinary men and women, poor, obedient, loyal; and those who brought back the original plan of God as in the beginning and primordial of the time (in Paradise) (like Jesus Christ, the Apostles and disciples) became first in the Reign-Kingdom of God.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

September 13, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Sirach 27: 30 - 28: 7 y

Psalm 103 “The Lord is kind and merciful; slow to anger, and rich in compassion.”

Second Reading: Romans 14: 7-9

Gospel reading according to Matthew 18: 21-35

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Homily: On Forgiveness            

After Jesus gave instructions on what to do on fraternal correction and the process of reconciling and bringing back to the community (or the Church) a brother who sinned against his brother (or her sister), Jesus continued his admonition on compassion and forgiveness to a brother (or sister) who was hugging wrath and anger.  In the Book of the Prophet Sirach, (first reading), wrath and anger, even vengeance, are hateful things in the Lord God (27: 30).  “Peter approached Jesus and asked him, ‵Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times′?” (Matthew 18: 21).  Peter after receiving scolding from Jesus, and then realized his mundane attitude instead of God′s infinite wisdom and truth, asked about forgiveness Jesus was teaching.  Afterwards, he had the courage to ask Jesus on how many times he should forgive his brother who committed sin against him.  He asked as many as seven times only, and if he repented within the limit of seven time, he should be forgiven, but if he remained hardheaded and stupor after the seven times limits, he should be considered as a Gentile and/or tax collector? (cf. last week Gospel, [September 6, 2020], Matthew 18: 15-20).

Jesus who is like his Father in forgiving, and in giving compassion and mercy to sinful people, has an open-ended and unlimited forgiveness (seventy-seven times). The Lord God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is a God who remembered our sins in detail, nevertheless He forgives our offenses/sins if we forgive the injustices (sins) of our neighbors, when we pray ours sins will be forgiven and expect healing from the Lord (Sirach 28: 1-2).  “Jesus answered, ‵I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times′. . .”  (Matthew 18: 22).  Jesus is not (kuripot) stingy, limiting in forgiving sins but rather he is very generous (liglig, siksik at umaapaw) in giving pardon to those brothers and sisters who committed sins against God and their neighbors.  He can forgive as much as seventy-seven (77) times, (others are adding additional seven (7) times; 77x 7x).

To make it clear not only to Peter and the other Apostles, but even to us, his followers, with regards to forgiving our brothers or sisters who committed sins against us and to God, Jesus expounded its importance of giving pardon to one′s brother or sister through a parable of a forgiving king and an unforgiving servant to his co-servant.  “. . . ‵That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.  Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.  At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‵Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full′.  Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan′. . .” (Matthew 18: 23-27).  The first servant who was brought to the king to reconcile his huge amount of debt begged and promised to pay back in the near future.  The king had pity on him and exonerated and exculpated, free and cleared his big debt.

Jesus continued his parable with a contrast, while the debt of that servant was totally erased, in another incident that servant met his co-servant who had a very small loan to him; he begged and also promised that in due time he will repay his loan, but he did not show pity, instead he sent him to jail until he paid in full his debt.   “. . . ‵When that servant left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.  He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‵Pay back what you owe′.  Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‵Be patient with me, and I will pay you back′.  But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt′. . .” (Matthew 18: 28-30).  This servant was opposite to his forgiving king.  If he received kindness from his master and king, on the one hand; he, on the other hand, showed severe demand to his co-servant.  He did not remember what his master had done to him.  According to Sirach, “If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?” (28: 5). 

There is time for reckoning.  We cannot escape from the watchful eyes of those people around us.  In the parable of Jesus, the other fellow servants who saw everything from the king’s accounting to what happened to their fellow servants.  They called for justice.  And the only one who can give justice is their king.   “. . . ‵Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply distressed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair.  His master summoned him and said to him, ‵You wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?′  Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt′. . .”  (Matthew 18: 31-34).  The king, after hearing from the other servants what had happened, became angry (this anger is meant for justice and righteousness) against that servant whom he had forgiven his huge amount of debt.  He did what that servant had done to his co-servant; he was thrown in prison, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, until he paid his debt.

To conclude his parable, Jesus challenged his disciples.  “. . . ‵So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart′.”  (Matthew 18: 35).  By forgiving our brothers and sisters from the bottom of our hearts, we too, will receive forgiveness from our heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Sirach said, “Remember your last day, [and] remember death and decay, set enmity aside and cease from sin.  Think of the Commandments, of the Most High Covenant, [therefore] hate not your neighbor, overlook [their] faults” (28: 6-7).  Our Lord God, said the psalmist, “The Lord is kind and merciful; slow to anger, and rich in compassion” (Ps. 103).

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

September 6, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9

Psalm 95 “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Second Reading: Romans 13:  8-10

Gospel reading according to Matthew 18: 15-20

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Homily:

After Jesus rebuked Peter about what he was thinking and commanding him not to go to Jerusalem to suffer and to die, that he was thinking the human wisdom instead of God′s will, Peter with loving a heart to Jesus asked pardon and forgiveness for what he was saying to Jesus, his Master and Teacher. Afterwards, Jesus, as true Master and Teacher, faced his other disciples to teach them forgiveness, compassion and mercy – the fraternal correction. “Jesus said to his disciples: ‵If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone′. . .” (Matthew 18: 15).  He said to his disciples, if one of them committed sin against one of them, bring him into reconciliation by talking to him in private. You and him alone.  So that nobody learned that one of them committed sin and the brother who committed sin will not put shame in front of his other brothers.  Talk to him privately and tell him the sin he committed.  Maybe he was not aware of the sin he has done.  For sometimes, we, too, are unaware of what we are saying or doing and we do not realize that we are already hurting the feelings, emotions, the heart and mind, and even the whole human person of our brother(s) (and/or sister(s)). And he/she who was hurt must tell immediately the circumstances, the content of what he said or done, the time and place of that event, to bring to mind what your brother had said and/or done. Never let the time, the day pass without saying to your brother and/or sister that you have been hurt.  Imagine, months, years, decades had passed and only that time/day or moment you told him his/her sin.  He has forgotten and gone already in his mind, especially if he did not mean it or it was a split of tongue, without any malice; but for you it was very significant.

Sometimes also it is difficult to admit one′s sin, especially if you are not aware, especially if it is already a century ago, (to exaggerate).  He can deny it if he did not remember the event, time  and place, and the  circumstance of that sinning, especially  if it was not significant to him, but in you, it cannot release in  your mind and  heart even it was  long, long time ago; you  cannot sleep, you cannot  eat, hindi ka mapakali, to  carry it  all the day long, and you are suffering  a lot because of it.  He cannot accept what he has said or done, he did not listen to you for he cannot admit it.  “. . . ‵If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‵every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses′. . .” (Matthew 18: 16).  The tendency of that brother is to deny the sin he committed.  If this happens, you may ask one or two of your other brothers whom you have shared and told about the event, because you cannot sleep or bear any longer the ill feelings, the hurt you experienced against your brother who committed sin against your will.  They can help to bring reconciliation and to amend the sin he has done.  Maybe these witnesses can also pacify the hurt and ill feelings you underwent. 

Sometimes, also, if the witnesses are not credible, because they are your close friends, he became suspicious and bias even if they were objective in bringing back the good, harmonious relationship with that brother who sinned against you.  . “. . . ‵If he refuses to listen to them, tell the Church′. . .” (Matthew 18: 17).  Jesus was telling his disciples to bring the matter to the whole community of the faithful, to the assembly of God, just to amend and be reconciled to one another so that the brotherhood may be brought back to normal.   Let the whole congregation decide on what to do to both brothers, the one who was hurt and the other who had sinned. Yet, the issue became known and spread to the whole Church.

And, in the end, if the brother who sinned did not listen to the People of God who are God fearing and loving, and nothing can be done to bring to the fold that brother who sinned, while the other brothers were ready to forgive and accept him in the brotherhood, Jesus suggesting to treat him as a gentile or a tax collector. “. . . ‵If he refuses to listen even to the Church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector′. . .” (Matthew 18: 18).  When everything was exhausted, and still nothing happened to win that brother, but that brother hardened his heart and mind, for he was proud and thinking he did not commit any sin.  He did not listen to his brother whom he committed sin, he did not listen too to one or two witnesses and much more he did not listen to the Church people, Jesus said, treat him as a gentile or a tax collector, for the gentile and tax collector is stubborn, does not listen to others′ advice, who is all-knowing, conceited, hard-headed, and feeling sinless.

He taught them also that whatever they agreed (as in a contract), it is bound in heaven and on earth.  “‵Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven′.” (Matthew 18: 19).  The agreement must be between two or more mature persons and have the capacity to enter into an agreement. A minor cannot enter into an agreement even if the other party is matured enough, so also the differently abled persons (or mentally handicapped adults), for they do not know what they are entering into. The agreement of two abled persons is binding and cannot be changed, except if there are impediments in the contact.

This is the truth of our faith.  Jesus is always present and in company to guide us in making a decision or an agreement.  Every time we agreed on a certain issue, like forgiveness of sin committed by our brothers, like the example mentioned above, and we agreed to forget and to continue the harmonious relationship, Christ Jesus is in our midst.   “‵Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them′.”   (Matthew 18: 20).  Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior, is also the Wisdom and the Love of God sent to us to be our intercessor to Him, to answer our petitions.  God, our heavenly Father, listens to our prayers (samo at hiling, pakiusap), especially when two or three are asking in Jesus′ name, his Son.