Twenty Third Sunday In The Ordinary Time, Year A.
10th September 2017.
Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20.
Today’s gospel passage presents us with the manner in which to win back an erring member in the Christian community. The advice of Jesus Christ founded on love. In the words of St. Paul: Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor. Brotherly corrections made out of love will always achieve its aim of reconciliation.
In the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel, we are reminded of our common responsibility for each other. The expression – I will hold you responsible – although addressed specifically to the prophet, is by extension addressed to us. If we make up a common humanity of mutual love and respect, it beholds on each one of to be responsible toward the community. Our common faith compels us to be responsible for one another. This is very important especially in our present secular world which has lost touch of interpersonal connection. All connections are carried out via the social media. The sense of responsibility for the other is gradually fading away in our world.
To curb this relational gap, the second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, presents love as a debt. Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. Mutual love is what will clear the ground for reconciliation. Love as we have seen above cannot hurt anyone. Everything made out of love always achieves its aim. The human possess within itself the ability to recognize true love. The erring member will recognize that love approach that is aimed at reconciliation with the community. Even in the case where the member is bent on leaving the fold, he or she will feel in the heart the exit from a loving community.
The idea of bringing witnesses as mentioned in the gospel, brings out a rare aspect of love which is patience. Love is patience! Oftentimes we have witnessed situations where the cause of the conflict is ‘oversized ego’. It takes patience to approach the member whose ego is overblown. Ego motivated conflicts are always difficult to solve. But love possesses a charm that melts the ego in order to talk sense into the erring member. Our communities of worship will be blessed when love motivates every action. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor.
Anthony Ekpunobi, CM.
