SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 33: 7-9; Romans 13: 8-10; Matthew 18: 15-20.
REFLECTIONS: KEEPERS OF EACH OTHER.
Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
By our very nature, humans are social beings. There is an interdependence that exists among us. One of the good things that Corona Virus has brought us is a reminder of this very nature of us. It is like though God was speaking to us through the pandemic that none of us is an island. The masks we now use have no sense if another person did not exist in front of you. By wearing it I am saying that I am protecting you. By your nature, you too reciprocate by wearing one to protect me. The Word of God today, tells us that we are protectors of one another. The wellbeing of the neighbor is for your good. And again, we are responsible for each other's salvation.
God called prophet Ezekiel to be a watchman or sentinel of the people of Israel. The work of a sentinel in Israel of old was to watch over the city against its enemies. A sentinel, like a security guard of our own time, is not armed to defend us but to alert us of any possible danger. We need one because we cannot be awake all the time or present everywhere all the time. A lack of clarity in some issues of life may make us judge things wrongly. The lack of clarity darkens the mind, leading to wrong choices in life. In such conditions just like during a night or absence, we need a sentinel, we too need a brotherly correction or alert. Being your brother’s keeper in the family of God is an obligation of love. By alerting your neighbor of the consequences of the wrong he/she is doing you fulfill the law of love.
Daughters and sons of God, the Spirit that summoned you into the Church, reminds you that as adopted children of the same father God, you ought to care for one another. Each one of us will be held responsible for the loss of eternal life of any one of us. In order to discharge yourself of such a responsibility you must be a sentinel of your neighbor. For God says “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. But if you warn the wicked, (…) you shall save yourself.” (Ez: 33:9).
The manner of making a brotherly correction may determine our success or failure in the relationship with the other. In the above-quoted verse from the book of prophet Ezekiel, we find the word “dissuade”. To dissuade would mean to persuade somebody not to do something. In order to dissuade someone, the person concerned must feel that the correction is in his/her benefit.
Beyond brotherly correction, Our Lord calls us to reconciliation and unity in our intention during prayer. Being forgiving is a sign of power and not a weakness. Keeping grudges is a weakness and a sin against love. Accepting one’s wrongdoings is strength and grace. For God rejoices in the repentant sinner like the Father of a prodigal son. Hence, dear brothers and sisters let us all work for the salvation of all as fellow workers of God.