Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20
Correct
One Another in Love
1. Today the Church stresses the importance of brotherly love and correction. We are prone to build a wall of separation rather than a bridge of love. Once upon a time, there were two brothers. Their father had a large farm, and when he became too old to work, he called his sons and said, “I am too old to work anymore. I will divide my farm in half and give each of you one half. I know you will always work together and be good friends.” When the brothers started farming on their adjoining farms, they were best friends and shared everything. Then, one day, there was an argument between the two brothers, and they stopped speaking to one another. For many years, not a word was spoken between them.
2. One day, one of the brothers was at his house when a carpenter came to his door and said, “I would like to do some work. Do you have any work that I can do?” The brother thought momentarily and then replied, “I would like you to build a fence on my property. Build it near the stream that separates my farm from my brother’s. I don’t want to see my brother anymore, and I would like you to build a high fence there, please. I’m going into town, and I’ll be back this evening.”
3. When he returned that evening, he was shocked that the carpenter had not followed his instructions. Instead of building a high fence, he built a bridge over the stream. The man walked down to look at the bridge, and as he did, his brother walked towards him from the other side. His brother said, “After all the terrible things I’ve done to you over the years, I cannot believe you would build a bridge and welcome me back.” He reached out to his brother and gave him a high hug. The brother then returned to his farmhouse to talk to the carpenter. “Can you stay?” he asked. “I have more work for you to do.” The carpenter answered, “I’m sorry, but can’t stay. I have to go, for I have many other bridges to build.”
4. Now and then, we are confronted with conflicts in our families, places of work, church, and community. Our strength is not falling but getting up each time we fall. When faced with conflicts, we often build a fence between ourselves and see others as enemies. We would stop talking to our presumed enemies, avoid them, and close in on ourselves. We should not run away from people who hurt us, but we should do what we can to achieve peace and correct each other in love. Christ wants us to love rather than hate. Instead of a wall, he wants us to build a bridge of love between us.
5. Jesus does not give up on anyone. He wants us to explore every means possible for reconciliation. Christ did not give up on Peter but prayed for his conversion. Neither did he give up on Judas, as this story demonstrates. The saved were partying in heaven. Missing was Jesus. Peter found Him at Heaven’s gate and asked: “Master, why are you standing outside?” He replied, “Peter, I’m waiting for Judas.” If Christ won’t give up on Judas, should we give up on people? We should extend our kindness even to those who hurt us. When we forgive people, we do not do them a favor but set ourselves free to love. Hence, St. Paul tells us in the second reading: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” According to Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “While it is possible to win the argument, your anger may lose the war.”
6. Let us pray at this Mass, dear friends, that instead of building fences of hatred, we may build bridges of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct us so that we may learn to correct each other in love. Let us take these words of Christ to heart and learn to live by them: “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:3-5). God bless you!
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
No comments:
Post a Comment