THE MARK OF FORGIVENESS

Reflection for Wednesday of the 19^th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Ezek 9:1-7; 10:18-22; Mt 18: 15-20)

Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of today talks about the preservation of the righteous and the destruction of idolaters and supporters of evil. The cleansing of the city was done in the same way as during the Passover in Egypt (Ex 12:23). The good people were identified with a mark. “Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” All the others were to be killed, “But touch no one upon whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.”

This prophetic vision of the 'saving mark' upon those who rejected abominations becomes a visible reality in the Cross of Christ. This sign becomes an indelible mark given to believers during baptism. So, we carry in our mortal flesh the death of Christ that we might live with Him (Rm 6:4-7; 2Cor 4:10-11). That means the way we live and relate with others will definitely bring to light this saving sign, hidden in our souls. Hence, Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of today about forgiveness and the gathering of the brethren exemplifies the uncommon way of life of those marked with the saving sign of the Cross.

Forgiveness is a bold step; it is a responsibility for every believer. In fact, it is a command from Jesus. Forgiveness is not to ‘wish away’ the hurt, but it is to ‘confront’ the issue and resolve it. It is ‘instantaneous’ but to resolve the matter takes some steps, which might take short or long time. The purpose of forgiveness is not to shame anyone or to find someone guilty, but it is simply for reunion. If you do not want ‘reunion’, your ‘forgiveness’ is not complete.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” This is the most difficult; it is only when the one that was offended had forgiven and wants reunion can he ‘go out in search’ of his brother. Each must open up his hurt and the matter resolved among them, respecting and protecting the integrity of each other. However, if this most important step fails, the other secondary steps become even more difficult. If these other steps fail too, then, he becomes a ‘missionary ground’, where the believer is sent to convert him to the fold like a Gentile or a tax collector.

Union with Christ Jesus is the ultimate motivating factor. It is ‘Christ among us’ that gives life to our human relationships. Yes, ‘two or three may gather’ but if Christ Jesus is not in their midst, that gathering will not survive the day of cleansing; it has no saving sign on it! Again, if the togetherness of our families, friends, colleagues, Churches, etc is not in the name of Jesus Christ, they will not survive like those who were destroyed in the vision of Ezekiel. Thus, the first step towards unforgiveness is a worldly life. That is why we should not center our lives together on pleasure or material things, because when hurt comes, only the saving grace of Jesus will redeem us. The saving sign of Jesus brings unity. And He assures us that it is prayer answered: “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.” Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday August 12^th, 2020
St Jane Frances de Chantel
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com