September 07, 2014
23rd Sunday Ordinary Time
We have satellites, radar and drones guarding and protecting our interests. Ezekiel understands his prophetic office as a “watchmen†on a hill commissioned by God to warn the House of Israel of danger. Physically removed from Judah, he speaks to Jewish people in exile of their responsibility to other members of the community to keep the covenant and to obey the commandments. In Sacred Scripture we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper! St Paul in his letter to the Romans cites the commandments: “do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, and do not covet†as fulfilling the commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.†Loves does no evil to one’s neighbor. Jesus directs his disciples to “brotherly and sisterly correction.†When there is a personal, family or community sin, it is not easy to engage the offender. We must examine our own motivation e.g. do we intend to confront the person in anger? Are we motivated by genuine concern for the wellbeing of the person? Are we mindful of our own failures and sins? When we speak to the person whose behavior we judge to be harmful, have we taken time to choose the right time and place and words? In our Gospel today we hear the direction of Jesus to his disciples but also how the words and example of Jesus are understood and applied in Matthew’s church community dealing with internal conflict. We perceive prudent steps of be taken: 1st - a confidential conversation; if this fails, 2nd - a meeting with one or two others; if this fails, 3rd - the concern is brought to the community for discernment and decision. Even if there is a “shunning†e.g. treating the offender as a Gentile or tax collector, we continue to pray for conversion and forgiveness of the sinner. Recall how Jesus treated public sinners: with respect and compassion. Jesus ends by encouraging the disciples to pray together. Prayer is a critical part of reconciliation. Jesus promises to be with us.
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22nd Sunday Ordinary Time
