Many times we forget that the people who are hurt, those who are harmed, those who are sinned against are “the children,” the “little ones,” and the “lost sheep” in our communities. And more often than not, when they get the courage to confront those who sinned against them, the latter do not listen.
Thus, Jesus’s command to bring one more or two. This makes "two or three". And maybe, the offender will listen. If this does not happen, then the command is to involve the whole faith community. Maybe, the offender will listen.
Three times in the passage, the offender is given the opportunity to listen. To repent. To make amends. Twice, the church is called to take the side of the offended. To bring about genuine transformation. To bind and to loose.
Not to play referee. Not to dispassionately take a "neutral" stance, letting the offender off the hook or, worse, punishing the offended. Many times we forget that Jesus always took the side of those whose only hope was God: the children, the little ones, and the lost sheep. Many times we forget that God-with-us is most present when two or three are gathered to take the side that Jesus always took.
So, let us take a stand. Let us be that second or third person that will make two or three... And more. Against hopelessness. Against injustice. Against discrimination. Against violence against women, children and the Othered. Against the culture of impunity that pervades our world.
*image from heartlightdotorg.
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