Reflection for the 23rd Sunday in ordinary time Year A
(Eze 33:7-9, Rm 13:8-10, Mt 18:15-20)
1.0. PRELUDE
The first reading introduces Ezekiel as a watchman to
Israel. He must warn the wicked to change his ways. Ordinarily, this was to get
the sinner to be saved. But the Lord emphasized that the election of Ezekiel as
watchman was for his own salvation. “...But you will have saved your life.”
In the second reading, St Paul reminds us that love is
the fulfillment of the law, and it is the basic thing we owe one another. Love ought
to be the driving force. It does no harm to anyone.
Jesus tells us in Gospel of today that we should be like
watchmen over each other. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him
his fault, between you and him alone.” This gesture is to win the brother back,
to save him and maintain the common brotherhood. “If he listens to you, you
have gained your brother.” If this initial dialogue fails, others can be
involve or even the church. This extra effort is to highlight the importance of
reconciling with the erring brother. When we agree together as one, God dwells
in our midst. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything
they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or
three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
The task of being a watchman is the work of grace. It is
a divine call and a divine mandate. It is God who takes the initiative. “Whenever
you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me” (Eze 33:7).
And Jesus, the Word made Flesh, has been given to us, He directs us to go and
be reconciled with the one who offended us. We receive this instruction from
Jesus as a prophetic responsibility for the salvation of all.
The watchman is presumed ‘innocent’ in this case, and
is being sent to the ‘guilty’ one. This mandate calls for a change of approach
when we are victims of an offence. Instead of waiting for the person to come
and apologize, Jesus says, “...go and tell him his fault...take one or two
others along with you...tell it to the Church...” The motive here is not to convict
but to save the offender—to win the brother back. So the watchman does not
enter the dialogue like a policeman or a judge. This is not to water down nor
deny the truth, but to heal the wounds of division. He comes as a healer—a wounded
healer! This is the only way one who was hurt can be the agent of
reconciliation with the brother that offended him.
It is obvious that the key virtue of the watchman is
patience. Jesus alludes that winning a brother back might take several efforts
and different tactics. Words must be chosen carefully. Too much talk and anger
easily ruin reconciliation and deepen the wounds.
“Behold, how good and how pleasing it is for brothers
to dwell in unity...for in that place, the
Lord has commanded a blessing, and life, even unto eternity” (Ps 133:1-3).
The one who reconciles with his brother equally reconciles with God. In watching
over our common brotherhood, one wins God’s favour. “Blessed are the peace
makers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9). When we agree and
gather together as brothers and sisters, the Lord is in our mist. It is
answered prayer in itself. So the watchman gains Heaven. So maintaining a
healthy communion with our brothers and sisters is one way we get our prayers
answered. We have received this prophetic mandate from Jesus to watch over the love that binds us together.
Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Mary’s Catholic Church,
Egbeda, Ibadan.
10/9/2017
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