The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today inspire contemplation of the action we need to take to restore broken relationships.
Building community
The reading from the Prophet Ezekiel is a vision of the slaughter of the idolaters in Jerusalem.
* [9:4] Ezekiel emphasizes personal accountability; the innocent inhabitants of Jerusalem are spared while the idolatrous are punished. An X: lit., the Hebrew letter taw.1
Psalm 113 praises God as the helper of the needy.
* [Psalm 113] A hymn exhorting the congregation to praise God’s name, i.e., the way in which God is present in the world; the name is mentioned three times in Ps 113:1–3. The divine name is especially honored in the Temple (Ps 113:1) but its recognition is not limited by time (Ps 113:2) and space (Ps 113:3), for God is everywhere active (Ps 113:4–5) especially in rescuing the lowly faithful (Ps 113:7–9).2
In the Gospel of Matthew we learn about reproving (to scold or correct usually gently or with kindly intent) another who sins.
* [18:15–20] Passing from the duty of Christian disciples toward those who have strayed from their number, the discourse now turns to how they are to deal with one who sins and yet remains within the community. First there is to be private correction (Mt 18:15); if this is unsuccessful, further correction before two or three witnesses (Mt 18:16); if this fails, the matter is to be brought before the assembled community (the church), and if the sinner refuses to attend to the correction of the church, he is to be expelled (Mt 18:17). The church’s judgment will be ratified in heaven, i.e., by God (Mt 18:18). This three-step process of correction corresponds, though not exactly, to the procedure of the Qumran community; see 1QS 5:25–6:1; 6:24–7:25; CD 9:2–8. The section ends with a saying about the favorable response of God to prayer, even to that of a very small number, for Jesus is in the midst of any gathering of his disciples, however small (Mt 18:19–20). Whether this prayer has anything to do with the preceding judgment is uncertain.3
Ronald Fussell comments that Jesus didn’t say that we confront conflict that arises from sin by gossiping with friends or acquaintances. Rather, the first step is to always confront the conflict directly. Often, it requires a courageous heart, as we typically tend to avoid these moments of tension.
For me, applying all of this in my life is obvious. You see, there is a personality trait in my family known as the “Fussell Grudge.” We tend not to forgive, and instead sever relationships with those who have wronged us. I find myself guilty of this as well, and even joke about it from time to time. This passage is always a powerful reminder to me that it is more important to rebuild relationships with others than to terminate them.4
Don Schwager quotes “If someone has done you injury,” by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD).
"If someone has done you injury and you have suffered, what should be done? You have heard the answer already in today's scripture: 'If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.' If you fail to do so, you are worse than he is. He has done someone harm, and by doing harm he has stricken himself with a grievous wound. Will you then completely disregard your brother's wound? Will you simply watch him stumble and fall down? Will you disregard his predicament? If so, you are worse in your silence than he in his abuse. Therefore, when any one sins against us, let us take great care, but not merely for ourselves. For it is a glorious thing to forget injuries. Just set aside your own injury, but do not neglect your brother's wound. Therefore 'go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone,' intent upon his amendment but sparing his sense of shame. For it might happen that through defensiveness he will begin to justify his sin, and so you will have inadvertently nudged him still closer toward the very behavior you desire to amend. Therefore 'tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother,' because he might have been lost, had you not spoken with him. " (excerpt from Sermon 82.7)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:15-20 reminds us that our life in Christ is never a solo affair. Always we are bound together, united with Jesus and all other believers throughout the ages. So whenever you pray, don’t forget that you’re in good company. Every time you come before God and bring him your needs, Jesus is interceding for you with his Father (Romans 8:34). Mary, Joseph, and all the saints are praying too. This is true whether you’re at Mass, with your family, praying with people “virtually,” or all by yourself in your room.
If you get excited cheering for the home team, think about what it would be like to be cheering for the Lord, surrounded by all the saints. That’s what’s going on in heaven right now (Revelation 7:15). When you pray here on earth, you are joining that great unnumbered choir of men and women in worship. And they are lifting up your prayers too!
“Lord, help me to remember that I never pray alone but with all your saints in heaven and on earth.”6
Friar Jude Winkler compares the vision of Ezekiel to the sign of the Greek “Tau” in Revelation. The life of unity in the Church contrasts with an attitude against reconciliation. Friar Jude emphasizes joining our love with God in communal prayer.
Barbara Holmes writes about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955), a French Jesuit priest who trained as a paleontologist and geologist, who believed love is at the physical heart of the universe. He viewed love as the attraction of all things toward all things.
I wish more of us understood and accepted the “laws of the universe,” which include disruption, dynamism and evolution, instead of clinging so tightly to the “law and order” of church and country. Jesus himself indicated that “heavenly” and “human” laws are not on equal footing. He refused to enforce or even bother with what he considered secondary issues like ritual laws, purity codes, and membership requirements. He regarded them as human commandments, which far too often took the place of love (see Matthew 15:3, 6‒9).7
In the power of Love, we are attracted to restore relationships with those who have sinned against us.
References
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