“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them”
Matthew 18:20 (NRSV)
Being the oldest of a set of fraternal girl twins, I have always known life and love in community. Beginning with the community of my family, my life has been filled with many manifestations of community: friends, school, clubs, church, Sunday school classes, youth groups, Church Camp, Bible study groups, prayer groups, co-workers, mission trips, work groups, volunteer groups,... While some think this passage from Matthew deals with small groups gathered in small groups for prayer or worship, the context of this verse relates to a process of resolving conflict. Community, while a place of love, is also a place of conflict. Some have reworded the passage to “When two or three are gathered together in Jesus name, there will be conflict.” When we ignore conflict, it festers.
It ends up hurting us and others more and more with each passing day. Rather than ignoring it, we need to deal with it. Fortunately, this passage doesn’t just deal with conflict; it includes the theme of reconciliation and forgiveness. Love and forgiveness go together. In Christianity, we read in the Peace Prayer attributed to St. Francis Of Assisi, “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” and it is one of the requests included in the Lord’s Prayer.
In Judaism, we hear in the opening verse of Psalm 32, “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” In Islam, the Quran states “They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.” (Quran 42:37) In Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib teaches, “Where there is forgiveness, there God resides.” (Kabir, Pg 137.) The founder of Buddhism, Lord Gautama Buddha taught that, “To understand everything is to forgive everything.” In the revered scripture and practical philosophical text of Hinduism Bhagavad Gita, it states, “If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive.”
No matter how one expresses their faith in God, forgiveness plays a powerful role. Forgiveness is not about who is right. It is about peace. When you have to be right, when you want revenge on another who has, in your eyes, wronged you, you cannot have peace. When your heart is full of love, you are able to forgive. Choosing to forgive brings peace. And forgiveness is love of self and love of others.
While our faith calls us to forgive, I think that it doesn’t call us to forget. As sinners, we are called to atone for our actions which requires remembering what we did and to remember those who have been hurt by our actions who deserve justice. But, this is a topic for a different time.
Forgiveness brings reconciliation which restores community. As we work to grow and deepen our faith, it is easier to do when we don’t try to do it alone. In community, we are able to support each other, energize each other, sustain each other, encourage each other, assist each other, support each other,… In community, we sometimes find it easier to see God in others than it is to see God in ourselves. And seeing it in each other makes it easier to recognize it in ourselves. And seeing God in others and in ourself is to experience love for God is love. (1 John 4:8) And Love will always be Good News for all.
Rev. Patrice R. Fatig
First Christian Church, Chillicothe (pulpit supply)