Scripture Study
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Opening prayer
Ezekiel 33:7-9
(Ps 95:1-2,6-9)
Romans 13:8-10
Matthew 18:15-20
Overview of the Gospel:
• Since last Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 16:21-27), the readings have skipped over Matthew, chapter 17, which included an account of Jesus’ Transfiguration (verses 1-8) and a second prediction of his Passion (verses 22-23).
• In the present chapter, Jesus is questioned by his disciples about the nature of the kingdom of heaven (verse 1). After warnings against seeking after rank or importance rather than humility (verses 1-5) and being a source of scandal to those who are the object of God’s loving concern (verses 6-14), Jesus sets forth a process for dealing with conflict and disagreements within the Church.
• The Greek word (elegxon) translated as “tell him his fault” in the New American Bible (verse 15) has the meaning “to rebuke in order to expose sin and bring correction.” Thus, it is to be a fraternal correction, for the good of the person. It is also private to avoid scandal and to protect the good name of the innocent.
• Failing that, two witnesses are brought in (per Deuteronomy 19:15-16) with the hope the influence of good friends or respected persons may have an effect. As a last resort (verse 17) judicial correction (i.e. excommunication) may be made by reference to the Church authorities. As in verse 15, this is not a means of punishment, but of fraternal correction.
• Jesus makes it plain (here and in Matthew 16:18) that he has given the leaders of his Church authority to make decisions in these matters that are ratified by God (verse 18).
Questions:
• According to the 1st Reading, what is our responsibility toward those who we see endangering themselves by their own sinful actions? According to the 2nd Reading, what should be our spirit and approach when we find ourselves in this postion?
• How does the Gospel passage reconcile with Matthew 7:3-5? How does it complement Matthew 16:13-20? What is the connection between verse 18 and the priestly power to forgive sins?
• The reconciliation process described by Jesus involves what three stages? Why not go public right away? What authority is given to the followers of Jesus? To the leadership of the Church (see John 20:21-23)?
• What does this passage say about the counsel of others? Of accountability to legitimate authority?
• How do you handle disagreements or wrongs done to you by others, especially by family? What pattern do you follow? How close to the model presented in this passage is your method of handling problems?
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1088, 1373, 1444-1445
Closing prayer
Lord, in my zeal for the love of truth, let me not forget the truth about love. - St. Thomas Aquinas
The Lord’s Invisible Presence
Pastor’s Column
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 7, 2014
“For where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
Do we really believe that the Lord is present whenever we pray together in his name? Notice that he says “where two or more are gathered…” This is why we pray together and not only individually. The Lord expects us to be in fellowship with other Christians to support and aid them as well as to receive support. The Lord never envisioned a church of one, but expects us to come together regularly, especially on Sundays.
We see this clearly in the Our Father. Notice Jesus doesn’t say My Father, but Our Father! Of course, our Lord is with us when we pray alone, but he also expects us to be praying together regularly. Without this, we are incomplete Christians!
Once in a previous parish I was called out to the home of a dying man living in a very small trailer. Rather, I should say his wife wanted me to come out. He himself wanted nothing to do with religion or a priest. As I approached the house, I could hear screaming and blasphemies, and, of course, it was with some trepidation that I knocked on the door! How could the Lord possibly be present in a situation like this?
Plucking up my courage, I knocked on the door. Inside, I found this man lying on a bed, dying and unhappy. He calmed down as I approached. After we conversed, I offered to pray with him and he said something like “If it makes you feel good, Father.” So we joined in a circle, he, the wife who invited me and this tortured soul.
As we prayed, the most remarkable thing happened! Into our circle came a dog and a cat. I had my eyes closed so I was surprised to see these two animals looking up at us happily as we finished our prayers, as if they were praying with us.
Well, to this angry man, this was a real miracle. He told me that these two animals absolutely never got along and were always separated (he didn’t know how they both got in the house). He had never even seen them in the same room together peacefully. To him, this was a sure sign that Christ had been present in the midst of us and I am sure this was in fact the case. He died, reconciled to God and the church, convinced that the Lord had joined us in prayer!
Of course Jesus is always present with us in the Eucharist and in so many other ways as well, particularly when we join with someone else in prayer. This also applies to intercessory prayer. Though usually invisible to our sight, the Lord promised to be always with us!
Father Gary