Sunday – 23rd Week in Ordinary Time – A

Thus says the Lord in the first reading, “You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me” (Ezekiel 33:7).

My brothers and sisters, the image is that of a watchman standing upon the city walls. If he sees danger approaching, silence is not kindness, it is negligence. Ezekiel's responsibility is to warn. Whether the person accepts that warning remains their own responsibility.

How many times, my brothers and sisters, do we try to warn people, especially our loved ones, that the path that they may be on might not be conducive to their well-being? But then it's up to them as to how they respond.

The reading goes on to say in Ezekiel, “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” (Ezekiel 33:8).

My brothers and sisters, this is a stark warning for each and every one of us. How many times should we correct a brother or a sister in love, in charity? But it's difficult because a lot of times it'll make us look like the bad guy. It'll make us look like we're judgmental. It'll make us look like we're superior to the person we're correcting. But the Lord gives us the courage to do the right thing, to speak up in charity, in humility, and in mercy.

In the second reading, Saint Paul, addressing the Christian Romans, says this: “Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

My brothers and sisters, if you recall, Saint Augustine once said about love: “If we love, we can do what we will.” In other words, love, true love, the love that is anointed and approved of by God, not some wacky modern-day version which perverts the word love, but rather sacrificial love, agape love. If we love in this way, we will be fulfilling the law.

Now this gives us the key for interpreting Ezekiel and the Gospel, which we will comment on in a moment. That correction must come from love.

And so in the Gospel, Jesus said to his disciples, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Right? Notice Jesus's first instruction: between you and him alone.

My brothers and sisters, our Christian correction always begins privately. Before involving anyone else, Jesus asks us to protect the dignity of our brother and speak directly to him.

The Gospel goes on to say, “If he listens to you, you have won over your brother” (Matthew 18:15). This one sentence reveals the purpose of everything that follows. You have won your brother over. The goal is not to win the argument or prove that I was right or humiliate the person in the wrong. The goal is to recover a brother, to will his good.

Saint Francis gives us an especially beautiful complement to today's Gospel in his 18th Admonition on compassion for one's neighbour. And he says this: “Blessed is the man who bears with his neighbour according to the frailty of his nature.”

This is important, my brothers and sisters, because today's readings could easily be misunderstood as permission to go around correcting everybody. Francis turns the examination of conscience back upon the person doing the correcting.

Before I point out my brother's weakness, can I bear patiently with his frailty? Can I remember that I also have weaknesses that others must bear? And can I speak to him without considering myself morally superior?

Francis goes even further in Admonition 23 while dealing specifically with correction. He calls blessed the servant who can receive correction patiently, humbly acknowledge his fault, and make amends.

So Francis asks us to look at both sides of today's Gospel. When my brother is wrong, can I love him enough to correct him? And when I am wrong, can I be humble enough to let my brother correct me in love?

This brings all three readings together beautifully: Ezekiel, do not remain silent when your brother is in danger. Paul, whatever you do, let it come from love. And our Lord Jesus, speak first to your brother privately, because your purpose is to win him back.

Saint Francis will remind us and will add that we ought to never forget that you too are a fragile brother or sister in need of correction and mercy.

Perhaps then, before we correct another person, we should ask ourselves one simple question. Am I about to speak because his fault bothers me, or because I love him or her enough to desire their good?

My brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you peace.

In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.