Posted on September 4, 2026 View all Gospel Reflection
“…whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, …” (Matthew 18:18)
This week we hear Jesus talking again about the authority that he gives the apostles “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: 18)
We just heard this same authority two Sundays ago when Jesus spoke to Simon and called him Cephas or Peter (Matthew 16:20) If Jesus does something like this twice, we should look carefully and remind ourselves that Jesus does not do things by accident. As I mentioned that week, this authority to bind and to loose is connected to the teaching authority of the rabbi. It is an extension of the power of God to exercise this authority.
But it is more than just authority. The scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ time had allowed this authority to go to their heads and they used it to gain power, prestige, and control over the people they were supposed to be shepherding. The action of binding and loosing also applies in the manner that this power also gives them the authority to establish the correct interpretation of divine law. In this exchange, the authority that was given to Peter in Matthew 16:18 is now given to the Twelve as a body. In the Catholic Church we understand this to mean that the Catholic Church speaks authoritatively either through Peter (and his successors) or the Twelve (that is to say the bishops united, i.e., an ecumenical council).
This model of the Church working in unity with its head, the Pope, is also seen when Jesus speaks to them about approaching a brother who sins with others (i.e., community). Also, they are encouraged to pray together. (“where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20)
The manner in which we live is the way by which we give witness to the world of our faith in Jesus Christ. We must love God above all else and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Romans 13:9) Love is the fulfillment of the Law. This is why Jesus came into the world. He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Jesus came to bring us the gift of salvation and forgiveness. But he does so if we live in a manner worthy of the call we have received.
We each have been created with free will and the ability to say “Yes” or “No” to God. In Ezekiel we hear how the wicked who are taught to change their ways from evil and do not will be responsible for their own death. But if we do not step up and help to admonish them, then while they shall die for their guilt, we will be held responsible for their death. (Ezekiel 33:8)
Of course, the need for us to counsel and provide fraternal correction goes both ways, we must be willing to receive correction ourselves. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (cf. Psalm 95:8) The psalm calls us to humility and openness to hear God’s word through our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In this week let us ask the Lord for wisdom to guide our words with others and also the humility to hear His voice through the Church and our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is when we live for Christ, that we will have eternal life.
