Annotation LXXVIII

”Let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican.” — Matthew 18:17

Whether those speaking and eating with the excommunicated sin.

Thomas Cajetan’s exposition is this: “I would gladly see this sentence — defined by Jesus Christ — observed, and the penalty of those not hearing the Church; namely, that it would suffice for them to be held as heathens — that is, that they themselves indeed, by force of excommunication, should be held as heathens and publicans; and that other innocent [persons] should not be involved [in it] by speaking with them, who incur no sin [by] speaking and eating with heathens.” Ambrose [Catharinus], bishop of Compsa, in the first book of [his] Annotations, disapproving these [things], says: “This too displeases [me], that he carps at the Church — [saying] that in imposing sentences of excommunication [the Church] has departed from the tradition of Christ; whereas, nevertheless, the Church observes nothing other than what Christ taught. For to be held as a heathen and a publican is nothing other than to deny to him [social] intercourse, companionship, and familiar conversation. For this the Jews observed toward heathens and publicans; and therefore they accused Christ, because he ate with publicans.”