23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click here to review the readings for this Sunday: http://www.usccb.org/nab/090708.shtml

This Sunday’s readings focus our attention on the theme of fraternal correction, i.e. how to correct someone who has gone astray. This skill does not come naturally, and so we need help in learning this important skill. Some people err in having a false notion of charity that says we should not correct anyone because that is judging, and thus that action is not charitable. On the other hand, some people err in having a self-righteous attitude about correction of others, implying that they are blameless in the sight of God.

The first reading is a call from the prophet Ezekiel to warn others about wickedness. He uses the image of a watchman to teach the lesson. A watchman would be ordered to watch the city gates for a set time at night, and usually there were three night watchmen who rotated the duties. If a threat to the city was detected at night, it was the night watchman’s job to warn the city and prepare to defend the city against the threat. So, the first lesson we learn is that wickedness is a real threat to the walls of our souls and those of others. We have an obligation to warn others about it in the same way a watchman has the responsibility of warning the city about impending threats.

The responsorial psalm gives us a reminder about the way in which God warns us about sin and wickedness. The psalmist reminds us of the time in the desert when the Israelites complained against God and wanted to return to the slavery of Egypt in spite of the fact that they had seen the marvelous works of God in their lives. How often have we been in the same situation? How often have we forgotten the mercies of God and returned to sinful ways? So, the way God warns us is by reminding us of the good God has done for us and of the evil we have committed that he has forgiven in our lives.

Paul’s contribution to the subject comes in the form of reminding us of our obligation to love others. Love does no evil to our neighbor, so in reminding them of the teachings of God we perform the best practice of love. Paul argues that we fulfill the law by loving our neighbor. Reminding our neighbor of God’s commandments is the greatest love we can show, for we care for their needs that extend into eternity.

Finally, Jesus gives us a guide to follow in the correction of others. This process is extensive and gradual. It takes a great deal of patience to correct in this manner. How easy it would be to excommunicate and condemn, but that would not provide for the needs of that person’s spirit. Some, however, see condemnation as justified when Jesus urges that after the lengthy process of charitable correction fails that we treat that person like a tax collector or Gentile. Yet, how did Jesus treat the tax collector and Gentile? He ate with them, talked with them, and kept open the dialogue with them. May we imitate the Good Shepherd in our dealings with others.