God's Word for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A

If he listens, you have won back your brother.

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A

Ezekiel 33:7-9,Psalm 94:1-2,6-9  R 8, Romans 13:8-10,

When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them in my name.

O that today you would listen to his voice. Harden not your hearts.

Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour.

 

Gospel Mt.18:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:
"If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that 'every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
If he refuses to listen even to the church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you,
if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."

Courage to speak?

Jesus wanted to strike at the roots of evil, suffering and hardship in the world. He came to establish a new world society – a true international community. His community would not be based on selfishness or greed, or even ‘enlightened self-interest’ but on mutual love. He gave only one commandment ‘love one another as I have loved you’. The good of the other would be the criterion for every action. As St. Paul expressed it, “in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each one of you should look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others” Phil 2:3. This is the basis of the Church community. Each person is valuable and should be valued. No one should be marginalized.

            But even in the best of communities Jesus realized that there would be conflicts. Notice that Jesus says ‘if your brother does something wrong’ then you should go and have it out with him. The onus is on the injured party to go and be reconciled. ‘Go and have it out with your brother privately’. If he listens then you have won your brother. You are reconciled.   A principle of community growth: when there is a problem, don’t talk about your brother. Talk to your brother. If he does not listen, have some wise members of the community talk to him – not to condemn or humiliate him but to bring him into fellowship. We are to do everything out of love for our erring brother. If he still does not listen then we are to bring him to the community at large. If he will not listen to the arbitration of the community then he is no longer a member of the community. But he or she is always a brother or a sister whom Jesus loves and for whom he died’

            Jesus was the friend of sinners and he found a place in his community for those who had failed. When they return they may well be the strongest in love. Peter was the only one called ‘Satan’ in the New Testament. He denied Jesus three times and was weak and cowardly by nature (Gal 4: 12).  Though he had failed, Jesus made him head of his community; likewise with the other ten, who constantly misunderstood, had little faith and ran away at the crucial moment. Jesus wants us to be compassionate as our heavenly Father is compassionate. In the Church there should always be a place for those who have failed and have returned.

            Jesus stresses the power of the community’s prayer. This is a promise to be claimed because Jesus is always present interceding for us.

            Do you talk about or do you talk to those who offend you? Are you a power for reconciliation in your community or for division? Are you a gossip? Is your brother’s reputation safe in your hands?

Father grant that I may be a source of peace in the community and not of division.