Two Is Community!

Monday, November 10, 2025

Wis 1:1-7; Lk 17:1-6

Today’s Gospel highlights the building up of community as God’s work. 

In his instructions, Jesus prioritizes the welfare of the community in two ways.

At first, when he talks of the person who causes scandal or temptation, Jesus means that what one person does can deeply affect others. Hence, when he warns against not becoming obstacles to others, his intention is not vengeance but protection. In other words, Jesus intends to safeguard the faith of the ‘little ones’ who could be easily shaken because of the scandal or temptation caused. Thus, Jesus’ words call for responsibility, implying that as members of God’s community, we are all responsible for one another. 

Secondly, Jesus’ instruction concerns forgiveness. When Jesus wants his followers to practice forgiveness, he does not think of them as individuals in isolation but as disciples who live together, sharing the same faith. It is from this strong sense of community that Jesus talks of forgiveness, which is then basically meant to restore those who have fallen. Jesus recognizes the fact that just as temptation can destroy a community, forgiveness rebuilds it. It is because a community’s survival depends on each other’s generosity, for Jesus, forgiveness should know no bounds. A wounded community can only be strengthened by forgiveness. 

For Jesus, two is community. Therefore, such a community should uphold each other in faith, love, generosity, and forgiveness. 

Whatever helps the building of a community is nothing less than God’s work. 

Let us pray that we may build communities through our supportive presence and faith. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar