Does the Gospel Tell Us to Avoid Those Who Wrong Us?

It’s important to include Matthew 18:18 in this passage, because only lawful Church authorities have the God-given power to formally discipline wayward disciples. When one of the faithful goes astray and the Church publicly disciplines them, this can include banning the person from Holy Communion (interdict) or even excommunication.

Even in such severe cases, though, the Church does not ban the offending parties from any interaction with the Church. Indeed, those such disciplined still have a moral obligation to fulfill their Sunday obligation by participating in the Mass to the extent they can, even though they may choose not to do so.

Consequently, we see that these penalties are intended to be remedial, i.e., to get a wayward person to see the error of his way and repent. So, even when the faithful stray, the Church is called to emulate the Savior and seek them out, which Jesus makes very clear in the preceding verses in the parable of the lost sheep (Matt. 18:12-14).

On the other hand, we should not support or be led astray by the misdeeds of wandering sheep, and thus should regulate our interactions with them accordingly.