Wed. of 19th week, August 16

Scripture: Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22. Psalm 113. Matthew 18:15-20

Ezekiel's vision is a purifying powerpoint presentation of God's dealing with those who are unfaithful to the covenant of love with Israel. All of this is taking place in Jerusalem and the Temple. The scenes remind me of the Book of Revelation and there is sufficient evidence in the text of Revelation that they were borrowed from Ezekiel's visions. This helps us understand both books better since they are using the same symbolism and are apocalyptic in genre. John of Patmos may have had a scroll of both Ezekiel and Daniel in his exile on the island of Patmos. Though both are far from the reality I experience or what I envision, there is, nevertheless, a message for me. It is a call to return to the Lord in my thoughts, words, and actions. By acknowledging my failings in these three areas, I am on the road to such a return or conversion.

Psalm 113 is a praise hymn celebrating the glory and holiness of God and it thus is used for our response to the first reading from Ezekiel since two of his special themes are present--God's greatness or glory (kabod in Hebrew) and God's flaming justice and holiness.

Then Jesus, the human face of God, shows us how we are to be his disciples in a community of disciples. Whenever one of us sins as a disciple, we are called upon by another disciple to face our faults or sins. If that does not work, then several disciples should help us to see our failings. Finally, a third effort is made with the entire community confronting us on our sin. If that does not work then we are to separate ourselves from the community as a stubborn unrepentent sinner disciple. Yet, I think we still have a chance of being reconciled for Jesus says we must pray and ask for things in his name. Maybe I should ask that I be forgiven and then maybe I will return to the community or the Church. After all, we are learning about the Church that Matthew describes in the first century and it is only in Matthew's Gospel that the word for Church is used.