Friday, September 22, 2017

THE WATCHMAN


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

Image result for ezekiel the watchmanThe 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.”


2.0.  THE WATCHMAN
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.


3.0.  WHEN THE TWO GATHER TOGETHER

“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