What to Do When Someone has Sinned Against Us

In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us practical instruction on how to handle conflict. We must go directly to that person (instead of going to Facebook or gossiping to other people). A closer look at the text allows us to see that Jesus is not just talking about personal conflict but what we must do when our brother or sister in Christ is struggling with sin. We have a responsibility not just for the material needs of the members of the Church but also the spiritual needs. Jesus gives us a blueprint for the responsibility we must take when a fellow Christian is living a sinful life. To "admonish the sinner" is one of the spiritual works of mercy. If we really care for one another in the Church, then we will intervene not only when the bodily needs of our members are concerned but also the spiritual needs.