Gospel Meditation: The Sinner and the Community

I offer a guided Ignatian meditation on today's Gospel. This is an invitation to let the scripture enter into your heart and mind and speak personally to you. Ignatius said that meditation specifically engages our memory, thoughts, and will. We hear the word of God, and we ponder it, noticing any words, images, or ideas that speak to our hearts. And we speak to God about all of this.

If this way of praying is new – simply relax and try to become engaged in the text. Try not to worry about what you are “supposed to” be doing. If you find yourself distracted during your prayer, very gently bring yourself back to the scripture text.

If at any point during the guided meditation the scripture comes to life in such a way that God invites to you stay with a particular moment, follow the invitation that you sense, rather than move on to where the written meditation is going. In that case you might want to stop reading and continue on your own.

This passage on dealing with sin and hurt in the church community might seem harsh as Jesus says that an unrepentant sinner should be treated as “a Gentile and a tax-collector,” that is, an outsider. On the one hand, he is drawing a clear line – that those who obstinately refuse to be in right relationship with others must not be allowed to continue to harm the community. On the other hand, this is preceded by the parable of the lost sheep and followed by Jesus’ instruction to forgive “seventy-seven times.” So hope is not lost, even for those who are unrepentant in the present.

• Choose a position where you can be relaxed but alert.
• Breathe deeply several times and let your body relax
• Breathe out any worries or stressful thoughts and put them in God’s hands
• Become aware of God’s presence here with you now, looking at you with love.

• Ask God for the the grace to respond to Jesus’ invitation to you today.

Read the passage slowly twice, savoring the words. The first time, just listen to get a sense of it, to hear what is being said. The second time, notice any word or phrase, image, or idea that speaks to your heart or “shimmers” for you. Stay with that word, image, or idea and ponder its meaning. Notice how it makes you feel. Savor the experience. 

What phrases or ideas in this passage have moved you, made you feel something – perhaps consoled, surprised, disturbed, or encouraged? Can you identify the phrase and the feeling?

Ask God what it means that you were moved in this way.

Jesus instructs the disciples to deal directly with a brother or sister who sins against them. He says, “if they listen to you, you have regained that one.” His attitude toward conflict is to deal directly with the other and work toward reconciliation, rather than to win or punish. How does this counsel affect you? Is it your usual way of dealing with someone who has hurt you, or is Jesus inviting you to a new approach?

Jesus highlights the importance of the community in the role of reconciling the sinner and in his presence among us. How do you experience yourself as part of the Christian community? What does it mean to you to be committed to that community?

Take a few moments to talk with Jesus about all you have reflected on, and what you are feeling and thinking right now. Speak with him as you would to a friend, sharing and listening. When you are ready, close with a favorite prayer.