When we read the Acts of the Apostles, we are left with the impression of a high powered spiritual community which proclaims the word of God, and carries out the mission of Jesus Christ. The faithful of the Acts community worship in spirit and in truth in that the place where they gather shakes. There are no needy people among them, since they share everything in common. Yet Paul's letters admonish these same communities to be faithful to their baptismal promises, and reflect the Eucharist they celebrate. Matthew today recommends that the community take responsibility in matters of sin and brokenness.
We can think of our sins as such a private matter, or our faults and foibles as very much our own, that we might not understand where Jesus is coming from. But our experience tells us that our pride, anger, jealousy, lust, and greed can and do affect others. We might pretend that it doesn't but from a moral, and a societal, perspective what we do can afflict the lives of those around us. Perhaps this is way St. Paul so adamant today about living the law of love.
Growing up with five siblings, two dogs, guinea pigs, and two cats, I can attest to the fact that life in a community is not easy. Any dispute somewhere else in the house affected the entire household. Perhaps this is way Matthew goes to great lengths to describe a process of reconciliation. The ministry of Jesus Christ is very much about reconciling with God and others. Later we will hear that if we bring our gift to the altar, and realize we have a dispute with our brothers or sisters, first we ought to reconcile, then come back and offer our gift at the altar.
Our spiritual life is about conversion and discipleship. Disputes are handled at the most basic level; just between the disputing parties. We do not post our problems on the Internet or down at the diner. Only if that does not work do we bring in other witnesses. This process moves to involve only those necessary at the moment. St. Paul will remind us that while it is important to admonish each other, it is done so with charity so as to protect the dignity of the other person.
'Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found.' Confrontation and the challenging to a moral life need not be traumatic or full of drama. Part of our faith journey is about walking with one another, and raising each other up. Love bears the other. Then our communities become a mystery of faith which we profess.
This is excellent. My sister is not attending Mass, so I wrote her an email telling her not to make the same mistake I did years ago. I thought I did wrong but now I understand we are to.call them out.ister is not attending Mass, so I wrote her an email telling her not to make the same mistake I did years ago. I thought I did wrong but now I understand we are to.call them out.
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