IT IS TIME FOR RECONCILIATION

HOMILY FOR THE 23^RD SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

Reconciliation is a reestablishment of friendly relations. It is the act of bring back peace and harmony to a friendliness or togetherness that is suffering from strife. We have carefully chosen this term to sound out the goal of the readings of this Sunday. Jesus clearly explained to the apostles the ways of going about brotherly correction and ending quarrels among the faithful. There are three steps that the Gospel (Matt. 18:15-20) of today enumerates when we seek reconciliation.

1. Dare to reconcile

2. Dare to Discipline

3. Dare to pray

No. 1 Reconciliation

When one has discovers that a brother has offended him/her, the very first move is to make a bold step towards reconciliation. We are not to wait on the offender to come to us, but are to go to the offender for reconciliation. Jesus shows us three specific and wise ways to do this. The first is to go to the offender alone, and talk over the problem with him/her. We must not share the matter with anyone else, nor are we to openly rebuke him, and must do so in humility, gentility and understanding. It is probable that the offender may be unaware of the offence over which we are annoyed. But even when you are sure that he knows about the offence, you still need to go. If this is done, the quarrel is stretched beyond limit and the guilt of the sin continues. The Christian must not quarrel, but must be kind to all (2 Tim. 2:24). And unconsciously, the division grows deeper and nearly irreconcilable, until the moment we become revengeful and diabolic. We must work for peace. Without peace with one another, our offerings are superfluous. When you offer gifts to the altar and discover that you are not in peace with your brother, leave your gifts and go reconcile with him, and then can you offer them (Mat 5:24). 

The second step is to go to the brother with witnesses. It is true that many can be immature or selfish or with ulterior motives, and so may not admit to the wrong, and may even be totally unwilling to reconcile. In this case, one or two wise brothers are to assist. This shows that the one seeking reconciliation truly desires it, and that the one approached for reconciliation is truly loved and cared for. It also provides objective and wise counsel between the two parties, and helps to prevent bias and partial interests. The third step is to go before the Church. If the breach continues without taking the matter to the Church, it will cause more division and harm both within and without the Church. Other people may be involved and affected. Christ has a singular purpose here: to keep the sin, division and devastation from spreading and destroying the lives of more faithful. This is why Paul tells us in the Second Reading to love one another. It is love that summarizes it all. Love des no evil to the neighbour; it is the fulfilment of the law (Rom. 13:8-10).

No. 2 Disciplining

This second level which involves disciplining and sanctions can only be done if the first level has been completed. Jesus said: if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as you would treat a Gentile or a tax collector. Here comes the sanction, but the question readily comes to mind, how do Jews treat Gentiles and Tax collectors?  There are two possible interpretations that readily come to mind. The Jews ostracize the Gentiles. They refuse intermarriage and anything that suggests relationship with them. Even when they build their temples, they bring out a separate place for them. From this sense, treating the brother as a Gentile involves ostracizing and discriminating against the brother. However, it was actually for sinners and the tax collectors that Christ came for (Luke 5:32; Mat 9:13). It is not the healthy that need the doctor but the sick (cf. Luke 5:31, Mat 9:12). Paul had to tell Timothy that Christ came to the world to save sinners, of whom he is the worst (1:15). He continually insisted that the Gospel message is for both Jews and Greeks; all must turn to God for repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus (Acts 20:21).

Christ reached out to them and they were reachable. And so he gives us an example of how to act as he did and not as a Jew. It is true that the divisive brother has already acted as an outsider, and so ought to be treated as such. If the brother has refused to listen and respond to the humble request of a fellow Christian or the Church, therefore he is to be left alone and not bothered until he is ready to listen and be reconciled. Yes, the mission of the Church involves reaching out to pagans and sinners. This is the reason for evangelization. The disciplining of the brother then is one which allows the Church to continue to reach out for the backsliding brother. What I actually vision Christ saying is that the Church is to continue seeking after him as she deems wise, just as they seek after unbelievers. But realistically, the attempts at future reconciliation would probably be much less often.

There is a heavenly support to this earthly disciplinary measure. If the procedures are strictly followed in love and without bias or prejudice, then it is so in heaven. The heavenly discipline supports then the earthly discipline. As the Church on earth (where two or three are gathered in my name) has treated him as an outsider, so too is it in heaven. Thus, Christ has given us the procedures to follow in conflict resolution. It is our duty to follow them, and not be deceived by the world’s legal system of unspiritual or godless philosophies and arguments. Among God’s people, disputes have to be settled in this manner of Christ. We must all work and build the Church. The Church exists for worship, peace, love, brotherly correction and witnessing to Christ.

No. 3 Praying

The third step is to soak the matter in prayer. It is in the act of prayer that heaven hears and agrees with us. The Church is a community of prayer. And every reconciliation move has to involve prayers. When we pray, it is not just that heaven hears us, but also heaven grants our request. Prayers help us to be united. So, when a brother abandons every effort that has been made on him to repent and accept his fellow Christian, the Church commends him/her to God in prayer. And surely, heaven does accept the Church’s petition.

The Church has the duty to do her best for the unity of all Christians. Our job is to follow the measures laid down by Christ. We can only save ourselves as a Church if we do the best we can to save a brother from grief and error. This takes me to the first reading (Ezekiel 33:7-9). Ezekiel was given a special assignment to call the people to warn the people against their sins and call them to repentance. If he does not do the duty, the sin of the people is on me, but if he does it, the sin of the sinner is upon the sinner. We must do our work as a Church. If we refuse to do our work as a Church, it all implies the sin of the sinner will be upon us all. We all must seek reconciliation. It is now or never. Firstly, seek to reconcile with yourself. Secondly, seek to reconcile with your fellows (husband, wife, children, neighbours, family and Church members). Thirdly, seek to reconcile with the Church. Many feel embittered against the Church. What is it you think the Church has done against you? It is time to forgive. Be reconciled with the Church. Reconciliation paves way for peace on earth, and makes assurance for eternal peace in heaven. I wish you a week of reconciliation. Amen. God bless you.