Scripture Reflection 13 August 2014, Wednesday,19th Week in Ordinary Time BASIS FOR THE WORK OF RECONCILIATION SCRIPTURE READINGS: EZEKIEL 9:1-7, 10:18-22; MATTHEW 18:15-20 Many families today are estranged, because members feel betrayed, misunderstood or abandoned by the very people they expect to find loyalty, acceptance and love. Indeed, many of our young are turning to friends instead of their parents or siblings when they need consolation or advice. Spouses too, are driven to form extra-marital relationships, because they no longer feel that the person they are married to understand them, or share their interests, sorrows and pain. In the first reading, prophet Ezekiel too, was rejected by his people because of the prophecy he made regarding the eventual destruction of Jerusalem. The people were also hurt and angry, because they felt that Ezekiel was destroying their morale. They felt he was too pessimistic and a killjoy. How then can we restore broken or injured relationships? Jesus instructed His disciples on how we must confront the sin of division. But knowing the steps to proceed in the work of reconciliation does not mean that we can do it. This is because we ourselves could be lacking objectivity in judgment or are bias in assessing the situation. Or else the person concerned might justify himself and refuse to listen to us. So before we can actually employ the recommended procedures set by Jesus, we must be aware of the preconditions for the work of reconciliation. Firstly, we must recognize our common sinfulness. Unless we are humble enough to admit that in a breached relationship, two parties are normally at fault and none is totally exonerated, can we then speak of reconciliation. More often than not, we feel that we are the just one and the other is the sinner. Secondly, we must be motivated by charity and love. Fraternal correction and the work of reconciliation cannot be undertaken by someone who is self-righteous, like the Pharisees. Rather, it involves emptying ourselves in wanting to truly love our brother or sister who is estranged from us. It is out of love and compassion that we seek to heal a relationship and not out of a need to judge who is right or wrong. Thirdly, we must employ the weapon of humility. Without humility, we can never see our own mistakes or have the courage to approach someone who refuses to be reconciled with us. Without courage and humility, we will lack the objectivity to bring about any real reconciliation. We will fear rejection and also the possibility that we need to admit the part we played in hurting the other person, or that the person will react negatively towards us. Most of us are too proud to seek forgiveness. Only when these conditions are present, can we then proceed according to the steps recommended by Jesus, by firstly going to our brother to settle the issue personally and privately without any mediator. There is a real danger that quite often instead of seeking out the brother who has wronged us, we brood over the grievance and as a consequence poison the mind and heart. When this situation continues, it becomes more and more difficult to approach the person. When this step fails, then the next step would be to bring another person or persons, someone who is wise and objective to be the neutral party in helping to resolve the impasse. When that also fails, only then should we turn to the Christian community, especially the leaders, to seek a solution based on Christ’s love and wisdom, rather than relying on coercive force or threat of legal action, such as a lawsuit. When that fails as well, then Jesus tells us that we can treat him as a “tax-collector.” This does not mean to give up on them all together, or condemn them. Rather, it means that our conscience is now clear that we have tried to do what we can to heal the breach of relationship. The fault no longer lies in our court. We cannot force a person to forgive us or to come to see the truth. At the same time, we must remain open for reconciliation and hope that a day would come when the person who is ex-communicated will come to realization of his or her part in the broken relationship. But where do we find humility, courage and compassion? This is possible only in prayer. Hence, Jesus concluded His teaching on fraternal correction by charging us once again, “If two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.” Prayer, as all Popes remind us, is the key to ecumenism. This is also the key to all efforts in the work of reconciliation as well. Only prayer can help us to recognize our sinfulness and heal our blindness. Only prayer can bring about personal conversion of hearts. Only prayer can empower us to forgive and be forgiven. Only prayer can empower us to be loving, compassionate and understanding. Only prayer can give us the grace of humility and the power of forgiveness. Only prayer can continue to give us the faith to hope that reconciliation will come one day. Yes, before, during and after the work of reconciliation, we must pray, without which, no real healing or reconciliation can take place.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 05:09:49 +0000
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