Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the Synoptic gospels because they follow a similar plot and can be put 'side-by-side' to study together, to do comparison. Some materials are shared by all three or even 4, including John. E.g. The story of 5 loaves and 2 fish. Some materials are unique to a particular gospel. E.g. The parable of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son are found in Luke only. Very often, the same story are told differently, probably to cater for the needs of the different communities for which the gospels were written, or because they grew from the different traditions in different communities. For example, Mark 10 tells us that Jesus cured blind Bartimaeus when he came to Jericho, without touching him. Matthew 20 tells us that Jesus cured two anonymous blind men by touching their eyes when he came to Jericho. I think we should not try to harmonize the two different versions but to accept them as they are. Scholars generally agree that Matthew based on Mark to write his gospel. There must be a reason for Matthew to have 2 blind men instead of one even though we may never know what it was.
Today, we read Matthew 18. It is a collection of different sayings of Jesus, but put in different contexts from those parallel passages in Mark. Of course, I would eye passages unique to Matthew. For example,
See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10). From this, we know that all of us have our own guardian angels in heaven taking care of our spiritual good.
Matthew 18:15-17 deals with the way we should settle our disputes. First, between the 2 of you in private. Failing that, brought in 2 witnesses. Then bring the matter to the church. If all attempts failed, "and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector" (Matthew 18:17b). Does it mean we should ex-communicate him, or we should start evangelizing him all over again, like a tax collector? This is open to interpretation. No matter what, Matthew agrees with St. Paul that we should not make use of worldly courts to settle our disputes, to attack our brothers in Christ. You may defend that Jesus teaches us to "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21b) Therefore, we should be a good citizen of Hong Kong and cooperate with the government to beat crimes. However, the remaining verse continues with "... and to God the things that are God's." (Matthew 22:21c) Now, is there anything not God's? No. God's policy overrides SAR government's. Therefore, we should follow Matthew's precepts.
Then we read of yet another famous line from Matthew.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). This beautiful verse is the true spirit of the Church, a gathering of redeemed in Jesus' name. Unlike other wisdom religions in which an individual can attain enlightenment all by himself, our faith is communal. We unite with God in our community. We cannot do it all by ourselves.
The remaining chapter deals with the question of forgiveness. Jesus answered Peter's question by telling him to forgive forever.
Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22). Hypothetically, if someone offends you 7 times and you have already forgiven him 7 times and yet, he continues. What does that mean? He has learnt nothing! Then, should you be angry with someone so low in IQ? I doubt very much if someone can be so stupid as to offend you 490 times without learning anything. More often than not, the offender usually does not have the courage to seek forgiveness. We don't even have one single chance to forgive. I am afraid we will never be able to use up all those 490 chances throughout our life. If I sound too pessimistic about the human nature, just too bad.
The parable of the Unforgiving Steward that follows (Matthew 18:23-35) illustrates vividly the nature of forgiveness. The one who forgives is already in an advantaged & superior position. When your brother offends you, immediately you are in a superior position because he owes you at least an apology. So, if he repents and seek reconciliation but you withhold your forgiveness, you are abusing your superiority. Moreover, it breeds bitterness and resentment in our hearts. Forgiveness provides a chance for both parties to mend fences for the benefit of the future and a chance for both to grow up.
My God, it is not easy to forgive, but I don't think I will be able to exercise fully the 490 chances to forgive. Worse still, many a sinner like me finds it even harder to seek forgiveness. Is it because I have not forgiven enough so that I become stiff-necked not to seek forgiveness? Unplug me from my egoism that I may travel light to my heavenly home. Then I will be able to visualize Your glory. Amen.
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