Fraternal Correction

Homily for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The words that God speaks to the Prophet Ezekiel are not the kind of words in which we can find comfort. It has often been said that the Scriptures can offer us comfort, but it is also possible for them to offer us a challenge. God lays down a challenge before his prophet this morning, and we know that the challenge is also ours: ‘If I tell the wicked, "O wicked one, you shall surely die," and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.’

The Gospel reading today from the Gospel of St. Matthew comes from the fourth of five discourses which he includes in his narrative. Each of the discourses has a specific purpose. The fourth discourse is often called the “social discourse.” It gives us direction and challenges us with regard to our responsibilities for each other. In today’s text Matthew lays out a process through which we are to offer fraternal correction. Upon hearing these words, we might mutter under our breath, “Not my job!” Surely Jesus did not mean that we were all too bear this burden.

The key to understanding both the Prophet Ezekiel and the “social discourse” of St. Matthew’s Gospel is offered to us today through St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. St. Paul can be considered the first theologian in the history of the Church. As I have pointed out before, all of St. Paul’s letters were written before the Gospels were written. St. Paul was the first Christian to codify or to bring some order to the Christian community in its earliest days. He was also an expert in the Law; namely, the 613 commandments that are found in the Torah or the first five books of the Bible.

In the passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he states: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” St. Augustine is also famous for saying: “Love God and love your neighbor, and then do what you will.” In other words, if we treat one another with the love that is expected of all Christians, we will not sin against one another. However, even if we are called upon to offer fraternal correction to someone, we need to do it with love.

As St. Matthew offers us advice on how to correct a brother or sister, he ends with a telling statement. “If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.” Before Jesus’ time on this earth, Jews would have nothing to do with Gentiles, and they would also shun anyone who cooperated with those who subjugate them. Consequently, it might seem like St. Matthew is invoking a kind of excommunication for those who are failing to be good neighbors. However, if we simply remember that St. Matthew himself was a tax collector, and if we remember how Jesus invited him to be one of his disciples, it is clear that “treating someone as a tax collector” is the same thing as saying “treat your brother the way that Jesus treated me.” He did not reprove, he did not shun, he did not offer recriminations. He simply offered an invitation: “Follow me.”

Love of our neighbors is, according to St. Paul the only thing that we owe to one another. This must be the case at all times even when offering fraternal correction. It has often been said that we should not let the sun go down upon our anger. This advice is frequently offered to married couples. However, it should not simply be expected of them but of all of us. “Love fulfills the law.” Engrave these words upon your heart. We have been created in the image and likeness of God. God is always ready to forgive. Consequently, we must also be ready to forgive at all times if we wish to act as God would act.