Homily for the Week of September 7, 2008

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 7, 2008
Ezekiel 33,7-9
Psalm 94,1-2.6-7.8-9
Romans 13,8-10
Matthew 18,15-20
Last week I was in Rouses Point and I passed by a church with a sign out front that said, “God promised Christians a safe landing, not smooth sailing”. That was a catchy reminder of just how challenging it can be to try to live the Christian life.
The Gospel makes it plain that Jesus called his disciples to love others unconditionally and, as we heard, so pointedly today, he certainly expects us to take the initiative in seeking reconciliation when love breaks down.
That’s such a tall order that we could easily be thinking that kind of teaching was fine for first century folks but this world of the twenty-first century is full of people who seem so unlovable that it can’t help but make you wonder. If Jesus walked the earth today, preaching love and reconciliation, would he draw the line when it came to terrorists who have no respect for others’ lives or rights; or doctors who make their living killing children; or corporate big shots whose greed bankrupts a business and destroys the savings of lots of investors; or predators who abuse and molest the young? Would Jesus make exceptions for those kinds of evil people?
After all, Jesus was well aware of the dark side of life when he walked the earth so long ago. Not much has changed in 2000 years. First century folks were not nearly as sophisticated as we are today in killing unborn children so they simply threw unwanted new-borns into the dump. Speaking of terror, let’s not forget that Jesus and his neighbors lived in an occupied country where captive subjects were policed by the Roman army. As to the abuse of the young, they were routinely exposed to the perversion and pornography that was even ritualized in the religions of the pagans. Jesus didn’t know about 401(k)’s, of course; but he was well-acquainted with slavery and the rule of sick emperors.
Yet, even as he lived in such a sick and unjust society, he still preached love and reconciliation. Could he have been out of touch with reality? But, we are gathered here today because we don’t believe that Jesus was out of touch with reality. No, we’re here today because we believe the Christian life of love and reconciliation is the true way to happiness, not only for the here and now but for ever. It’s interesting to note just how far Jesus would go for reconciliation. In today’s Gospel when Jesus tells us to make every effort to achieve reconciliation, He says if nothing works, then treat the other as you would a Gentile or a tax collector; but he himself wouldn’t stop even there. He invited both Gentiles and tax collectors to eat and talk with him and thereby changed their hearts. Our Gospel today was written by a tax collector, Matthew, who ended up giving his life for the sake of love and reconciliation.
Seven years ago this week we will remember the tragic events of September 11th brought home to many Americans the reality that serious harm had been done to innocent victims. For a variety of reasons our media and politicians have played back over and over again the scenes of these events. It comes at a time when the words under God is to be removed from our Pledge of Allegiance, and songs like God Bless America are removed from public programs, and athletes are not encouraged to pray before a game. But the rescue workers and construction workers at Ground Zero told a different story: they repeated over and over that the Spirit of God was with them, and they praised most of all the chaplains who were with them day after day: WHATEVER YOU NEEDED, WHENEVER YOU NEEDED THEM,THEY WERE THERE FOR US.
We’re also here because we know how often and how easily we don’t really live out what we say we believe. When love breaks down in even the most intimate of our relationships with others, with family and neighbors, co-workers and even fellow worshippers, we know we need God’s grace to give us the strength and courage to seek reconciliation and renew lost love. It’s here in this place that we are nourished by word and sacrament so we can go back out into our often sick and unjust society and try to renew it. That’s what Jesus asks of us. As Ezekiel reminds us, in our first reading, that ‘s not just a nice thing to do; it’s absolutely necessary for our own good. Speaking as God’s prophet, he utters some very sobering words. He says, “if you warn the wicked man, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself”.
The meditation on the front cover of our Bulletin today has an excellent reflection on how we can apply to ourselves and others the advice that Jesus gives us in the Gospel. How we can bring about love and forgiveness better by using I-statements rather than you-statements. Perhaps, as we approach the altar for our share of the Body and Blood of Jesus today, we could plead with God to fill our hearts with a thirst for peace because only a peaceful person will long to seek reconciliation with even the unlovable among us, no matter what the cost. Jesus, Matthew, and Paul all gave up their lives for that cause. Could we at least give up some of our comfort and security? There’s no doubt that Jesus wants us to do just that so, as the Psalmist says, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts”.