23rd Sunday in Ordinary time-A
Dear friends in Jesus Christ,
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ,
true light of the world,
you guide all mankind to salvation.
Give us the courage, strength and grace
to build a world of justice and peace,
ready for the coming of that kingdom
where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
- Amen.
The gospel today speaks of how to achieve reconciliation within the community and gives some practical direction/guidelines for managing not only our relationship with God, but also how to keep our fellowship with our fellow humans and deal with members who sin against community. We are responsible for one another as a community, and our relationship with Jesus/ God depends on how we relate ourselves with others, whether members of our own family or strangers. Many of us are reluctant to involve ourselves in another's business.Sometimes it is good and safe - but not always. In the case of abuses /injustices, we need to stand up against such behavior and defend the defenseless/voiceless. As the gospel tells us, we should all work towards reconciliation rather than punishment, never try to isolate the sinner, but to encourage their conversion and bring them back to the community...and do so with love and respect.
In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel is asked to warn the wicked so that they may repent of their wicked ways and return to God. He fulfills his role when he proclaims God's words to them, and God will hold him responsible if he does not protect the people by means of his proclamation. Like other prophets, he believed that the exile in Babylon was the direct consequence of their sin and infidelity. Therefore, conversion and repentance would be the only way they would be able to find their way back to God. In Ezekiel 33:10: He made it clear to the people that God does not desire the death of sinners but their conversion. This view offers hope to all of us... a hope with responsibility to respond to God and His grace.
In the Second reading, St. Paul reminds us of our mutual debt to love one another. We "owe nothing to anyone except to Love to one another". This is nothing but God's command: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." In loving we fulfill all the laws/prophets.it summarizes the whole teaching of Jesus: "love of God and neighbor". When we truly love others, we desire only what is good for them. Love, Christian love, must be extended to all...even to the enemies. Real love is to make a deliberate act of the will, in order to promote another's good and well-being. "Love and do whatever you want" says Augustine. Let the root of love be within us and from this root can spring nothing but what is good. True Love can never do harm to a person.
The gospel today deals with certain situations within the early community where there were divisions, dissensions, and disagreements. We are a community of sinners, on a pilgrim journey, trying to be saints and attain perfection. There is one thing common which we all know and experience ..that thing is called sin! We have tasted it today and yesterday and probably tomorrow! These are some practical procedures set before us to recognize the sins and encourage the sinners to restore lost relationships by seeking forgiveness. There are three stages of procedure for dealing with a community member who feels injured and thinks that the other person has done "something wrong".1)To solve the issue among themselves: go to the person concerned directly 2)If that doesn't work, take another as witness with you and talk to the person, If that also fails, "refer it to the church"- the local community and 3)finally, the last resort is to treat the person as you would treat "a gentile or tax collector". That is to say, let him be put out from the community and be regarded as an outsider, which is to say, treat him as someone who has not yet made a commitment to the gospel. Remember, Jesus never said to punish or excommunicate that person.
It is never easy to admit our wrong doings. It is even harder when someone else points out our faults or mistakes. It is the presence of Christ that constitutes the church and keeps it going. People with bad behavior, living contrary to the teaching of the gospel or church, should be separated from the community. But once they repent, they should be received back with joy. Jesus knew well that we need to heal and restore relationships to be a loving community. No way, Jesus is interested in punishing the wrong doers.
But He is only interested in restoration and in bringing them to a place of spiritual health. He gives us a good guideline to follow in all situations: hate the sin and love the sinners. Finally, Jesus assures us with His presence: "If two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them". Wherever the Christian community meets together, whether it be for worship, prayer, study or meals, be sure that Jesus is present in their midst. May the good Lord help us to recognize that presence whenever we come together! Amen.
May good Lord bless us grand us His grace and peace,
Father Valley