The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the power of God that is revealed to us through the action of Community gathered in His Name.
In the reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses dies and Is buried in the Land of Moab.
Psalm 66 offers praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.
* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Ps 66:8–12]). In the second part (Ps 66:13–20), an individual from the rescued community fulfills a vow to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. As often in thanksgivings, the rescued person steps forward to teach the community what God has done (Ps 66:16–20). (Psalms, PSALM 66, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew offers instructions for reproving 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. (Matthew, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)
Mary Lee Brock comments how wonderful to hear that encouragement from Jesus to seek support in resolving our differences. Yet, we must listen carefully to his words as Jesus wants us to take a prayerful stance when we approach the conflict. This can be so difficult when we have been wounded by another and are fearful about the interaction.
Experiencing conflict can be such a lonely experience, but Jesus reminds us that we do not need to face the challenge alone as he is with us. He tells the disciples: “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."
Today let us pray about the unresolved conflicts in our lives. Let us ask Jesus for the grace to release old hurts and for the courage to confront matters that should be addressed. Let us pray for the wisdom to seek out counsel and guidance from others in our lives. And let us be prepared to be a witness for others as they strive for peace and reconciliation.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entreating to us the message of reconciliation. (Brock, 2023)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 18:15-20 comments that it is only after these attempts at reconciliation have failed that Jesus tells us to take the final step of placing some distance between ourselves and the other person. But again, this is not so that we can judge and condemn them. He’s the only One who can judge, and even he didn’t come to condemn (John 3:17). Instead, that distance can diffuse tension and help us to focus on interceding for the person. It can also help us create space in our own hearts for God’s mercy to heal us of any wounds or bitterness that might have crept in.
Sin is a very destructive force. Its effects can fester and linger long after any one sin has been committed. That’s why Jesus has given us this teaching. He doesn’t want anyone to remain trapped by its power. So he promises to be with us as we try to address sin with one another (Matthew 18:20). He promises always to help us as we seek to “loose” one another from its grasp (18:18).
“Jesus, help me to be an ambassador of your reconciliation.” (Meditation on Matthew 18:15-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler ponders the prohibition of Moses to enter the Promised Land. Moses, Elijah, and Enoch are mentioned in apocalyptic books as people with special death scenarios that gave them understanding of heaven. The brother or sister that rejects intervention from the Church, is not really a member of the community. Friar Jude notes the communal dimension of our faith as expressed in the process of reconciliation.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes the mystic Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) models the radical traditionalism identified as central to the prophet. Joan Chittister describes Catherine’s powerful witness.
“All things are possible for God who has created everything from nothing. I know that you say this from humility, but you must know that in these days pride has grown monstrously among men, and chiefly among those who are learned and think they understand everything…. I have chosen unschooled women, fearful and weak by nature, but trained by Me in the knowledge of the divine, so that they may put vanity and pride to shame.…” [1]
Because of those heretical words of Jesus [to the society of her day], Catherine of Siena became spiritual mother, public figure, political prophet, Doctor of the Church. She read souls, guided priests, negotiated between city-states, chastised two popes, and became an emissary to the state from the Vatican…. (Rohr, 2023)
We express gratitude for the action of community to involve us in piety, study, and action as humble servants of the Lord.
References
Brock, M. L. (2023, August 16). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/081623.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/18?15
Meditation on Matthew 18:15-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/08/16/761143/
Psalms, PSALM 66. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66?1
Rohr, R. (2023, August 16). A Female Prophet to the Church — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-female-prophet-to-the-church-2023-08-16/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). If Your Brother Sins against You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=aug16
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