“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Sunday, 10th September 2017.
Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time
Ez 33: 7-9;
Ps 94: 1-2, 6-9;
Rom 13: 8-10;
Mt 18: 15-20
BUILDING A WATCHFUL COMMUNITY!
When people who have experienced the pitfalls this life holds and warn others of wrong directions, their warnings go mostly unheeded. Though in fact, they wish to watch out on others who are on the road to perdition. They are mostly reviled, ridiculed and called arrogance. God compared Ezekiel’s job as a prophet to that of a watchman. He was to be given a warning from God and was expected to pass it on to everyone else. The task of the Church and the Christian today is very similar. It is to confront people with the message of God. Today we use powerful technology to keep us alert and warn us of the impending danger. What we do today with powerful technology was done in biblical times by placing a watchman in a strategic location so he could sound a warning when an enemy approached.
A wanderer once found a key in the valley close to a huge mountain. It was a magic key, a key that could open the doors of every treasure-house in the world. With the help of this key he collected as much gold and jewels as he wished at various places. On his way back he heard a voice from the foot of the mountain: "Before you go out, forget not the most important thing!" Suddenly the door of the opening was closed, closed for ever. He had forgotten to take along with him the most important thing: the key.
Man longs for the key to joy and happiness, peace and fulfilment. We all look for the key to friendship, understanding, name and fame, success and comfort. Some look for happiness in terms of money, others in power, in beauty and in spectacular activities. But all these shut us in, make us, 'get lost' amidst them. They so encircle us that we forget the most important thing: the key to life. Christian faith teaches us that this earthly life is transitory, that it is something we have to go through with our eyes on 'eternal life'. That means our life on earth has a goal beyond it. The happiness we have here is nothing but a shadow of that which awaits us in the life to come. But where is the key to this happiness, to the life in fullness?
In today's Gospel Jesus presents to us the beautiful picture of a community of love and concern. It illustrates how we can establish true Christian fellowship.
1. If somebody goes astray, we must approach him with fraternal love to bring him back into the fold. Far from condemning him or blaming him for the wrongs done, we must encounter him personally and convince him of our loving concern. The Gospel advises us to adopt a face to face settlement, quietly and privately, in a spirit of fraternal correction, to re-establish the broken relationships. If this attempt fails then we are advised to go to him with some wise persons to make him realize that the whole community is concerned and wants to have him back.
2. Jesus emphasizes the power of prayer. He says: "If two or three are joined together in prayer the Father will hear them.” It is a great assurance to those who pray that Jesus himself will be in their midst and participate in their prayer. The Jews had great faith in community prayer. It is written: "Where two sit and are occupied with study of the Law, the glory of God is among them." Community prayer puts an end to quarrels and brings unity. Covenant, community, kindness, forgiveness are characteristics of this biblical religion. The experience of all this make our life joyful, worth-living. All this is possible only if there is love. For instance,
An ex-convict was returning home by train from a distant prison. He was ashamed of his imprisonment and was hoping that his family had forgiven him. Then for a sign of their having forgiven him, they were supposed to tie a white ribbon on the apple tree close to the track. If he did'nt see the ribbon, then he would go wherever the train took him. As the train neared his home town his suspense became so great that he would'nt bear to look out of the window. His companion obliged him to change places and said that he would watch for the apple tree. In a minute he put his hand on the young ex-convict's arm. "There it is, "he whispered his eyes bright with sudden tears. "It is all right, the whole tree is white with ribbons".
Peace and harmony are possible only in a life lived in the spirit of love and forgiveness. God is love and where there is love there is God. Love of God includes the love of one's neighbour. Love can be experienced only in living with others, in harmony with the community. This hurts nobody, but completes and perfects everything and leads to life in fullness.
God has made us watchmen in our world today. We are all called to be watchful, to proclaim to each other, our community, and the world the truth about Jesus Christ. We are called to stand together, untied in the faith, not being afraid to call wickedness, what it is, or false teaching what it is, and proclaim that message to our community, so that others will know of their iniquity, believe in Jesus Christ, and grow in grace and holiness. We have to draw the attention of others to their faults, especially when we have that particular responsibility as parents, teachers, elders and superiors.
Prayer: O Lord, You are with us in our community, holding it together with your love, mercy and compassion. May we be people who are seeking joy, love and peace. May we be ever willing to forgive and reconcile with each other. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
(The reflection is an edited version of the homily of Fr. Anthony Kolencherry, MSFS in his book “Living the Word”, published by ATC Publications)