My Sisters and Brothers:
In today’s Gospel, Jesus instructed his disciples to treat others with great deference and respect, even if they had “sinned” against them. He said: “If your brother or sister sins against you, then go privately and discuss the fault between only the two of you. If he or she listens to you, you have won over your brother or sister. If he or she does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he or she refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he or she refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him or her as you would a Gentile or a tax collector” (see Matthew 18:15-20). It’s clear this advice presumed a very high standard regarding the need for forgiveness and reconciliation within the life of the Christian community. Not only would it have been a “good idea” to pardon the offenses of those who had gone astray, it was in fact an obligation demanding serious attention. Jesus told his disciples every effort had to be made to keep unity and peace in the community. Forgiveness and reconciliation among the members were an essential part of such communal harmony. He also acknowledged some “sinners” ultimately might not have accepted charitable invitations to repentance, and only in such cases would they have essentially separated themselves from the community (i.e., at that point, it would have been the “sinner’s choice” not to be reconciled).
I believe these teachings about forgiveness and reconciliation clearly instruct us to be very patient and merciful, especially with those with whom we’ve had disagreements and conflicts. And so, when we have problems with others, and for whatever reason, our first reaction as Christians ought to be a determined effort to communicate our feelings and ideas with them respectfully, privately, and confidentially; in such cases, we ought to desire to seek a “mending of ways” as soon as possible. This is only possible if we are willing to talk with the one (or ones) with whom we’ve had a problem. Jesus tells us this first attempt at communication and reconciliation need not involve other people, and that it is an essential first step toward such an end.
As I read these words of Jesus, I wonder how many times I’ve failed to show this kind of basic mercy and respect toward those with whom I’ve had one type of problem or another. Isn’t it true it’s often all too easy simply “to talk about” others rather than “to talk to” them? And so our own great sin, when we’ve had “problems” with others, might have been to gossip and to spread rumors about those with whom we’ve had disagreements, or about those whom we’ve simply not liked, or perhaps even about those who’ve just been “different” from us. Isn’t it true it might have been far easier for us to contribute to the destruction of others’ reputations rather than to communicate with them lovingly and mercifully?
I believe the message of today’s Gospel is very relevant for us at the present time. In this age of political polarization, extremism of every kind, the lack of charity toward immigrants, refugees and the most needy, racial unrest, and the other kinds of discrimination and hatred among people, Christians must give great witness to our genuine commitment to the value of forgiveness and reconciliation among all people. These things start “at home,” right here in our immediate community, and with those with whom we “rub shoulders” every day!
My friends, as Christians we are always called to treat others with great deference and respect, even those who’ve “sinned against us.” These high standards, based upon the values of mercy and patience, are rooted in our obligation to communicate our feelings with others. Therefore, may we always be inspired to be forgiving, and may we never cease in our efforts to be reconciled with those from whom we’ve been estranged. May the words of Jesus challenge us to respect all of our fellow human beings (and all means all!), and may harmony and peace forever be our common goal!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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