December 6, 2022 – Matthew 18:12-14
Today’s Gospel reading is from Matthew chapter 18, in which we find one of Jesus’ five long discourses. The discourse addresses various issues concerning relationships in the Christian community, especially when those relationships break down.
Just before this passage Jesus spoke of actions that create scandal, that is, actions for which it would be better if the person who had committed them were drowned in the sea. This is especially true when dealing with “little ones.” These “little ones” are not only children-although children are clearly not excluded-but rather those who are weak and immature in their faith and, therefore, can easily be misled.
In Luke’s Gospel, the parable of the lost sheep (Lk.
15:4-7) is a proclamation of the mercy of a God who is always willing to restore life to those who have lost it. In Matthew’s version, however, the teaching takes on a more specific pastoral connotation and must be read within the framework of a chapter describing the essential characteristics of the church community. The evangelist calls for the responsibility of the community to pay special attention to those who-no matter whether because of character or substantial immaturity-are most fragile. When unforeseen and/or difficult-to-manage events occur, those who are weaker in the faith are in danger of stopping or making wrong choices to the point of finding themselves on a path that no longer leads to the goal (18:12): the verb planáō means to go astray, figuratively speaking it means to separate from the truth. Note that the verb is in the passive and, therefore, refers to an external agent. It is not the sheep that goes astray but a sheep that is led away from the right path. Faced with this situation-very common, then as now-the evangelist emphasizes that the community, and primarily the shepherd, must not stand by with fatalistic resignation; on the contrary, they must do all they can to lead the sheep back into the fold, where they receive the essential nourishment to live and grow. But all this does not come at no cost; on the contrary, it requires no small amount of effort and much sacrifice: “he will go and seek,” we read in the Italian translation (18:12). The Greek expression is more pregnant: “setting out seeking” [poreutheìs zēteî]. The verb poreouomai also means to set out on a journey and suggests the risks (then) associated with this experience.
For good workers…
This parable can be applied both to those “little ones” who have been led astray and to those who, by committing evil, have led them astray. Both will be welcomed back with equal joy.
What about us? How do we look at those who have gone morally astray or those who may have determined their behavior. How do we judge them? And how ready are we to welcome back the transgressor not reluctantly but joyfully?
P Joby Kavungal RCJ