Homily For Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, 10th September, 2023

Readings:  Ezekiel 33:7-9, Ps.95, Rom. 13:8-10, Matt. 18:15-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 

THE PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARDS FRATERNAL CORRECTION AND RECONCILIATION IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIP

 

The contingent nature of the human person has made it clear that we are not perfect, as we are likely to offend one another in any relationship we find ourselves. As a result of this, there is need for us to learn how to accommodate one another’s imperfections. But one of the major challenges we face in most relationships today is the ability to properly accommodate and correct one another especially when one is straying from the norms set up for the good of the relationship.

 

Thus, in our Gospel passage today Jesus gave us the practical steps we need to follow in order to correct and reconcile with one another so as to build a stronger relationship when he said, ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the Church as a community; and if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

 

Here, Jesus calls for fraternal correction and reconciliation in any relationship we find ourselves, for we are responsible for one another’s welfare.  These steps no doubt give room for reconciliation and accommodation. However, fraternal correction must always be inspired by real charity which is one of the spiritual works of mercy. Though, this is never an easy task especially when one has to bear the sacrifice of forgiveness, because forgiving a very grievous offense is one of the most difficult things to do.

 

Nevertheless, forgiven a grievous offense is like recovery a lost treasure that contains: joy, peace, freedom, healthy mind and healing. But how often do we seek to recover this lost treasure in our lives caused by unforgivingness? Hence Jesus today calls us to persistently seek for reconciliation until we gain our brothers and sisters back whenever they have offended and separated from us.

 

But if they refused to be reconciled we should pray for their conversion for that is how Jesus taught us to treat the pagans, the task collectors and sinners. For in all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer, knowing that God manifests his mercy when he transforms people and lead them to conversion, as he changes us and turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving persons. For we are meant to watch over our neighbours.

 

Little wonder prophet Ezekiel in our first reading was set as an example of a watchman over his people when the Lord said to him: ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman to the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them in my name. If I say to a wicked man: Wicked wretch, you are to die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked man to renounce his ways, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man to renounce his ways and repent, and he does not repent, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life.’ Therefore, we are responsible for one another’s welfare and are called to be watchman over our neighbours and friends.

 

The process of fulfilling this obligation is what St Paul gave us in our second reading as he called our attention to the commandments of God saying: All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbour as yourself. Love he said is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments. Therefore, we should avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. For if you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations.

 

Dear friends, it is our duty, obligation and responsibility to ensure in a fraternal charity that our fellow brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, colleagues and collaborators are guided and corrected whenever they go astray. For each and every one of us have the responsibility to strengthen our relationship and be a good examples for one another as we work the path towards our salvation. We are called to be a watchman over the people we encounter in life, we must prudently tell them the truth, we must work together to ensure that we carry our neighbours along the way of our salvation. Therefore, mutual love and fraternal charity are the only way and process of fulfill this obligation.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are rebellious and proud people, we lack the courage and disposition to correct and accept corrections, give us the grace and courage to correct one another in fraternal charity as we also learn to accept corrections when corrected. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed Sunday celebration.