It is 6th September 2020. We celebrate the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The readings are from Ezekiel 33:7-9; the second reading is from Romans 13:8-10; and the Gospel from Matthew 18:15-20.
In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel reminds our mutual love and responsibility in leading the other closer to truth and God. St. Paul in the second reading encourages us to promote love as the answer to all the issues of human relationship. In genuine love for one another, we cannot afford to hurt the other under the pretext of concerned love. Jesus proposes clear guidelines for dealing with the conflicting and scandalous situations in the community and proposing it as a prayerful and charitable process.
American President Harry Truman had a card on his desk in the White House declaring in bold capitals THE BUCK STOPS HERE!, This fits the readings of the day and all those live and deal with the other where people believe themselves as “their brother’s keepers.” We are not called to be popular by pointing and correcting rather helpful without seeking any personal gain and advertisement.
God holds us responsibility: The first reading echoes the voice of Cain: Am I my brother’s keeper? (Gen.4:9). God has appointed as the keeper of the other to care, convince, cajole and to lead the one away from one’s evil ways. “You shall not hate your brother in your heart: You shall in any case rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him.” (Lev 19:17). “Do not look on him as an enemy but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thess 3:14)
There are five things we need to inculcate as we all live in a family, a community and society at large. A caring confrontation is needed timely and appropriately for the integral growth of the individual. When we are afraid to be corrected, we close the doors of love.
- No correction is to suggest punishment, humiliation, and vengeance.
- Reconciliation is the goal of any correction.
- Uncharitable words and actions need to be avoided.
- Never be tired of correcting when people take time to process the issues.
- All the above process needs to happen in the atmosphere of prayer and in charity.
How many like to correct others? How many would like to be corrected without arguments?
We all like to correct the other. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any sin, you who are spiritual should recall him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Gal 6:1-2)
One of my teachers told me: look everything; overlook many things but correct one with charity and sensitivity.
Father corrects the mother, mother corrects the children, children corrects their toys and pets.
In some families, children correct parents when parents become the subject of scandal and conflict.
My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom Col 3:16
we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all 1 Thess 5:14.
Proverbs 10:10, 17 says He who winks at a fault causes trouble; but he who frankly reproves promotes peace….A path to life is his who heeds admonition; but he who disregards reproof goes go astray.
Fraternal correction is between equals.
To correct we need to grow in relationship. We cannot correct everyone. It is all about the rapport we have built over time gives us privilege to point out certain things in others. Even in a formal relationships, we cannot correct person who is scandalous to the community.
Without love corrections build the concrete walls of hatred and division.
There is a sense of mutual love and responsibility in correcting the other.
St. Augustine beautifully puts it: “You have to forget the hurt you have received, not the wound of your brother.”
“if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Mt.18:19).
When you are irritated and provoked by the faults of the other, it is good to be patient to say what we want to say.
Being silent and indifferent to the faults of the other does not help the community.
Humility and charity need to face justice and objectivity.
“By this will all know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35
The work of repentance is not our initiative, but it is the Holy spirit.
Correction is a gradual and patient process. The Gospel lays down guidelines to correct someone.
What needs to be corrected? Whatever endangers someone as an individual and the community has to be corrected.
LOVE PRECEDES CORRECTION: In the second reading, St. Paul invites us to love one another. “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
St. Paul teaches us that we do not need to owe anything except love. Love never hurts. If someone feels hurt after your correction, then there is no love. The intention of correction must be love.
Take a lot time to correct the other. it is by a series of serious considerations; we may look at the things differently. When we are upset and angry, it is not a good time to correct. Our genuine effort could be colored by our emotions. There is a story of a Chief who taught the community to consider correcting the other over a drink. He said when you were upset about someone in the community, try to sit down and sip a drink over the issue you wish to correct in the other. even if you are upset to the extend of killing him/her, after severing several sips you would come to terms with the person with the hug.
Reminding the other person their worth than worthlessness and what is they are capable of than how terribly have they fallen. It is good to remember when we are forced by someone to correct the other, we need to remind the person to be corrected their value. It happened onetime. St. Francis of Assisi was approached by one of the parishioners about a scandalous behavior of a priest. She wanted Francis to correct the priest. Francis accepted to correct the priest. After the Holy Mass, Francis went to meet him in front of all people and told him that his hands were so sacred to handle the Body of Christ and it needs to be kept away from evil. Instantly the priest changed his ways and became saint. Our correction makes someone better not for worse and dumping in the street.
Let us not forget to pray for the persons whom we wish to correct. Jesus proposed us to go and have it out personally, then with witnesses, if failed reporting to the community and finally treating them
like Gentiles and tax collector. Remember how Jesus treated Mathew tax collector who became a follower. Zacchaeus repaid in full. Gossiping and character assassinations do not help the community and the individual involved. May our attempts in correcting other be charitable and caringly confronting in all situations. May we be open to be corrected when we become the talk of the family, the community and town. Have a lovely day. God bless you.