Sunday, 6th September 2026: Homily by Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi on the 23rd Sunday of the Year. Parish of the Annunciation, Balzan.
Homily by Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to us about something that is very real in every human community: conflict, misunderstanding, hurt, and sin. Wherever people live together – in families, friendships, workplaces, neighbourhoods, schools, and even in the Church – there will sometimes be disagreement. No human relationship is completely free from difficulties because none of us is perfect.
We all have different personalities, opinions, expectations, and ways of seeing things. Sometimes we speak without thinking. Sometimes we misunderstand the words or intentions of others. Sometimes we become impatient, selfish, stubborn, or proud. And sometimes, sadly, we hurt one another deliberately.
How we respond
Therefore, the question is not whether difficulties will arise. They will arise. The more important question is: How do we respond?
When we are hurt, we may be tempted to withdraw completely. We may keep silent, but carry bitterness in our hearts. We may speak angrily. We may seek revenge. Or we may tell everyone about what happened, hoping that others will agree with us and take our side.
But Jesus shows us another way. His way is neither the way of violence, nor the way of avoidance. It is the way of truth, courage, mercy, and reconciliation. The Christian life does not mean that we will never experience conflict. Rather, it means that when conflict comes, we try to face it in a way that reflects the heart of Christ.
Speak to the person, not about the person
Jesus gives us a clear and loving way forward. He says: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Mt 18:15).
Notice the wisdom and simplicity of these words. Jesus does not tell us to speak about the person to everyone else. He does not tell us to spread the story, collect supporters, post our anger on social media, or allow resentment to grow in our hearts. He says something much more difficult, but much more loving: go directly to the person.
How often do our problems escalate because we speak about someone instead of speaking to them? A small misunderstanding can become a serious conflict because other people become involved. One person tells another, who tells someone else, and before long the original problem has become distorted. People begin to take sides. Suspicion grows; trust is lost. A relationship that might have been healed by one honest conversation becomes deeply wounded.
Gossip is particularly dangerous. It can divide families, destroy friendships, damage reputations, and wound communities. Once words have been spoken, they cannot easily be taken back. This does not mean that we should never seek advice or help. There are times when we genuinely need the wisdom of another person. There are also serious situations in which we must seek proper assistance and protection. But the ordinary Christian way, whenever possible, begins with honesty and respect: speak to the person, not about the person.
This requires courage. It is often easier to complain to someone else than to have a difficult conversation. Yet love sometimes asks us to do what is difficult.
The goal is reconciliation
The first step Jesus gives us is private, respectful, and charitable conversation. The goal is not to win an argument. The goal is not to prove that we are right, and the other person is wrong. The goal is not to make the other person feel ashamed. The goal is to win back our brother or sister. This is the heart of the Gospel: reconciliation.
When we approach someone who has hurt us, our attitude makes a great difference. If we go with anger, accusation, and pride, the conversation may become another battle. But if we go with humility and a genuine desire to understand, there is a greater possibility of healing.
Jesus also knows that reconciliation is not always easy. Sometimes the other person may not listen. Sometimes they may deny the problem. Sometimes they may remain angry. That is why Jesus speaks about taking further steps and seeking the help of others and, finally, the community. But again, we must remember the purpose. The purpose is not humiliation. It is not revenge. It is not punishment for its own sake. The purpose is always restoration: to bring back what has been broken.
This is an important lesson for every Christian community. It is easy to walk away from people. It is easy to say: “I want nothing more to do with them.” Sometimes, of course, healthy boundaries are necessary. But as followers of Christ, our hearts should always remain open to the possibility of healing.
The Church is called to be a community where people do not simply give up on one another. It should be a place where we make sincere efforts to repair what has been damaged, and to restore relationships whenever possible.
Truth with love
This Gospel reminds us that forgiveness does not mean pretending that wrong does not matter. Love is not weakness, and mercy does not mean that everything is acceptable.
Sometimes love requires us to speak the truth. If someone is hurting us, we should not always remain silent. If someone is acting in a way that is harmful, loving correction may be necessary. But there is a very important question we must ask ourselves: How do we speak the truth? Saint Paul teaches us to speak the truth in love: “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another” (Rom 13:8).
Truth without love can become cruelty. We can use the truth like a weapon to hurt, embarrass, or defeat another person. But love without truth can also become false kindness. We may avoid saying something that needs to be said because we are afraid of conflict. Jesus calls us to bring truth and love together.
Building bridges and bringing peace
Let us therefore ask the Lord for the grace to avoid gossip, to speak directly and honestly, to speak the truth with love, to seek reconciliation, and to forgive as we ourselves have been forgiven. Let us therefore become people who build bridges rather than walls, and who bring peace wherever there is conflict.
And may our families, our parish, and our communities become places where people know that even when there is hurt and disagreement, the love of Christ is stronger. May we always remember the beautiful promise of Jesus today: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). And may the presence of Christ among us lead us always towards peace, forgiveness, unity, and love.
✠ Joseph Galea Curmi
Auxiliary Bishop