August 11: Lectionary # 415 Year 2

Scripture: Lectionary 415 (Aug. 11, Wed.) Ezekiel 9:1-7,10, 18-22. Psalm
113: 1-2.3-4.5-6. Matthew 18:15-20:

Relationships are essential to our lives. Some of them are close, others
are casual, and some may be troublesome. The Church is theologically and
scripturally said to be the Body of Christ and we are members of that body.
The Catholic Church teaches that the Church is also the Mystical Body of
Christ so we are not only involved with each other in normal relationships
but also those that have a spiritual side to them either through belonging
to the Christian faith, believing in the Sacraments, or simply being a
member of a Christian Church.
We get some good advice on the sense of belonging from this eighteenth
chapter of Matthew--the only Gospel that uses the word "Church" within it
here and also in chapter sixteen.

Matthew has been the favored Gospel of the Church during the years before
Vatican II especially in the Sunday liturgies. It does have a specific
ecclesial character about it which reflects on the Church of the time in
which Matthew lived. He has however found in the words of Jesus a way for
the Church to grow more together in the relationships that we have whether
in the family or the nation but especially in the Church. The pericope
read this day tells us that part of the responsibility we have in some of
our relationships is the necessity to advise and even confront a fellow
brother or sister who may be harming themselves or others. The first part
of the reading deals with what could be called fraternal or sisterly
correction. Some religious orders used to practice this in a ritual called
chapter of faults. Jesus is not advising that but is saying we should go
to the person who is wavering or sinning in a way that may hurt the Church.
We are encouraged by the Lord to do this in a one on one manner. If that
does not work then we get another person whom we know and who knows the
offender and we try again. Perhaps, this can take on even a communitarian
action whenever there is question of a person who is addicted to drugs,
sex, or alcohol. Then the person may see that something is not right in him
or her because of the addiction. The team or community is concerned and
something is done about the situation that causes some breakdowns in the
relationships within the family or community or Church.

The second part of the passage shows us how the community of persons who
relate to each other in the Body of Christ are to pray and to beseech the
Lord for the good of the community and the individuals. This is another way
of building up relationships and achieving a sense of belonging to the
family, the church, the team.

Chapter eighteen is concerned about scandals coming from within the Church.
We hear of them then and today hear of them too often. The whole issue of
child abuse comes under this responsibility to one another and to our
little ones who are the future of the Church. We need to report any
incident of such abuse and contact both the civil and ecclesiastical
authorities. Abuse in any form has to be irradicated from the Church if
the Body of Christ is to be honored and revered. We saw yesterday how
Jesus in his day was very much concerned about the children who came to
him. He teaches us the importance of never breaking their trust in us as
adults. Watchfulness and great concern for children is always a part of our
responsibility whether we are in a pastoral situation or a family
situation. Children must be protected and loved in the way Jesus shows us
in his concern for them. Scandal is to be avoided and stopped whenever we
know that we can help solve such a situation.

Our prayers go out for those who have been abused physically, sexually, and
psychologically. We pray for the marginalized and those who are homeless
and live in poverty. Prayers is only the beginning of listening to the
Gospel for today. Action is required. "Wherever two or three of you are
gathered in my Name, there I am in the midst of you." Amen.