BASED ON CATHOLIC LITURGICAL READINGS
23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME: “CONFLICT RESOLUTION”
((Readings: 1st: Ezk 33:7-9; Ps: 94; 2nd: Rom 13:8-10; Gos: Mt 18:15-20))
Today being the 23rd Sunday in the ordinary time, our mother church is reminding us of our responsibility towards one another and the society that we live. As Christians, we belong to the community of brothers and sisters in Christ. We are, therefore, the “keepers” of our brothers and sisters, for each one of us is important to all others in our faith community. In any society where two or three people live together, there is likely going to arise conflicts. The conflicts arise because of our varied opinions and expectations. What do we do when conflict arises? Basically, the church is teaching us that dialogue and mutual love is the best method to resolve conflicts and promote reconciliation.
In the first reading, God is reminding us through prophet Ezekiel that we are responsible for one another. “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.” (Ezk 33:8). We are therefore responsible for counselling and warning our brothers and sisters of the consequences of their actions in order to save them and not to humiliate them. It takes a fraternal love to warn, counsel, advise or correct someone.
When talking about fraternal correction and conflict resolution, there are three key factors to be put into consideration.
- FRATERNAL LOVE
In the second reading, St. Paul emphasizes that we are indebted with one another of Mutual love. “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves has fulfilled the law”. The love we have for one another should be the only reason for admonishing one another. Love seeks the good of the one who is loved. Therefore, we should admonish one another so that we all may repent and grow in holiness. Mutual love counsels, accepts good counsel, corrects, and accepts corrections. Fraternal correction must be done in the spirit of fraternal love which does not seek to humiliate.
- METHODOLOGY
Methodology refers to the approach taken when reaching out to one another. In the Gospel Jesus proposes four steps. The first step is to initiate dialogue, one on one and face to face and point out lovingly the harm that has been done. This is called fraternal confrontation. In this step, one should consider what, when, where, and how he confronts his brother. If this method fails, the second step is to take one or two other witnesses. The witness is to help in the process of negotiation and reconciliation.
If the negotiation step does not resolve the situation either, the third step is to have the whole community of believers confront the wrongdoer, possibly represented by the elders. If the offender chooses to disregard the believing community’s judgment, the consequence is “excommunication.” The wrongdoer should be treated like “a Gentile or a tax collector.”
- THE POWER OF PRAYER
When resolving conflicts, Jesus is reminding us of the power of God´s presence. “If two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18: 19-20) Prayer is so powerful in conflict resolutions because it softens the hearts of the people. God works inside our hearts when we are gathered in the spirit of prayer to resolve conflicts. He guides and directs us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In a nutshell, conflicts in our families and communities are inevitable, but when they arise, how do we resolve them amicably? God says; “I do not delight in the death of a sinner…let him repent and live” (Ezk 18, 23). So, whatever action we take must be to correct, rebuild, and bring back the one on the wrong path. Our mother church therefore emphatically teaches that we are our brothers’ keepers, and we have the serious obligation to correct others in order to help our neighbors retain their Christian faith and practice, especially through our model Christian lives. Have we offered advice and encouragement to our friends and neighbors and coworkers when it was needed, and loving correction in private where that was possible?
PRAYER: Lord, grant me the grace to accept correction from others.
Blessed Sunday
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“May the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all People. Amen”
SVD JAMBO KENTAN 