23rd
Sunday in Ordinary Time-A
I
Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9: If
you do not speak to the wicked man, I will hold you responsible for his death.
II
Reading: Romans 13:8-10: Love is the answer to
everyone of the commitments.
Gospel:
Matthew 18:15-20: If he listens to you,
you have won back our brother.
The Steps to
Correcting Offending Brothers, Mt 18:15-20
Ezekiel was among the
first to be deported to Babylon in 597 B.C. In the role of watchman of his
people, his function is to prepare them for the restoration of their city, but
it will be only on the basis of their true repentance.
In Romans chapters 12
and 13, Paul deals with the principles that motivates Christian life and in the
second reading the law of love is stated. All the commandments are gathered up
in this one word, “love.” Jesus said it all in Matthew 22:38-40. When the New
Testament was written, a new word was needed with new concepts, “Agape”
(Sacrificial love as against the phileo=blood relationship love and eros=erotic
love) the love that is of the will, the love that is part of God’s language.
Reconciliation is of
the very heart of Christianity. Here in a passage found only in Matthew, our
Lord deals for securing the reconciliation of those who within the church are
at variance with each other. The power of excommunication given to Peter in
Chapter 16:19 is here bestowed on all the disciples.
God planned to save a
human being within a family: God prepared the salvation of the world through
the people of Israel, through the church (people of God), through our local
Christian community.
In the passage of
today, Jesus advices us how to proceed when one of our brothers causes serious
harm to the individual or community by not living according to the faith, that
is, when guilty of serious sin. Each one of us are responsible for the whole
Christian community and when correcting an erring brother, we should be
prompted by love and by no other motive. Jesus gives the two powerful remedies
to heal spiritual sickness within the Christian community:
1)The first remedy is
the power to forgive sins. Jesus bestowed it on Peter (Mt 16:19); he bestowed
it again on the apostles in the passage of today (Mt 18:18) and Jesus hastened
to confirm this power given to the apostles as he appeared to them in the
evening of the day when he rose from the dead (Jn 20:22-23).
2) The second remedy is
prayer (Mt 18:19). The power of the Christian community gathered for worship.
Jesus puts one condition that we be united in heart and an act of sincere
repentance. We should not let a single
day pass without praying for unity, peace and mutual love within our Christian community.
Jesus corrects and
handles the sinning brother how to bring reconciliation between two offending
brothers. God has one great concern: He wants peace restored between the
brothers and within the church. If the sinning brother refuses to be reconciled
and to rectify the wrong, Jesus says the disturbance is not to be tolerated any
longer, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (v.17).
1. Step 1: Attempt
reconciliation (v.15-17)
a. Go to brother alone
b. Go to the brother
with witnesses
c. Go before the Church
2. Step 2: Discipline
the brother (v.17-18)
a. The earthly
discipline
b. The heavenly support
of God
3. Step 3: The
essential step-bathe the matter in prayer (v.19-20)
a. Seeking agreement
b. Seeking God’s will
and approval
c. Seeking unity in His
name
d. Result: His presence
Thought: Our
lives should be done in a spirit of humility, love, care and unworthiness. Let
us try to seek the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control).
Prayer and
the sacrament of reconciliation are powerful remedies taught by Jesus Christ to
his Church to help us be healed of the many spiritual sickness which afflict
us.
Our lives and
our community will grow vigorous when we pray and live united by mutual love
and forgiveness.
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