Ezekiel 33:7-9, Psalm 95 (94):1-2, 6-9, Romans 13:8-10 & Matthew 18:15-20
The Love that Dares to Speak and the Grace that Dares to Reconcile
My brothers and sisters, last Sunday Jesus gave us a profound challenge: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Peter hoped for a Messiah without pain, seeking glory without embracing the Cross. Jesus emphasized that true discipleship requires sacrificing the ego. That day, we learned that the Christian life is not about avoiding hardship, but about surrendering ourselves to love.
Today, Jesus illustrates what love shaped by the Cross looks like within a community. The first reading portrays the watchman. Prophet Ezekiel lived during Israel’s exile, after Jerusalem fell due to Israel’s unfaithfulness. God told him: “I have appointed you as a watchman.” A watchman detects danger early; he cannot dismiss it by saying, “It is none of my concern.” If he notices danger and stays silent, he bears responsibility before God. A watchman cannot claim I am not my brother’s keeper. In this passage, Ezekiel is not authorized to condemn but is instructed to warn so that the sinner may have life. This distinction is crucial.
This passage highlights where Jesus guides us in today’s Gospel. He instructs, “If your brother sins, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” The emphasis is on the word “go”—not gossip, not spreading rumours, and not damaging reputations on social media. Jesus references Leviticus 19:17, where God commands Israel to correct a brother frankly rather than silently hating him. Christian love rejects cruelty and cowardice. Jesus continues, “If he listens to you, you have won your brother,” emphasising restoration over victory. The goal is reconciliation, not argument. St Paul echoes this: “Owe no one anything except to love one another,” affirming that love fulfils the law.
Jesus then presents a second step: involving one or two others. He references Deuteronomy 19:15, which states that serious accusations require two or three witnesses. This creates a process that safeguards both the truth and the dignity of the accused. If necessary, the matter should be brought before the Church. This is crucial because Jesus emphasizes that Christianity is not just between ‘Me and Jesus,’ but involves the Church. He also mentions the concepts of “binding and loosing.” In Matthew 16:18–19, this authority is given to Peter, but here it pertains to the entire apostolic community. After the Resurrection, Jesus clarifies this authority further in John 20:23: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” This is not about human authorities; Christ grants His Church genuine spiritual authority for the purpose of salvation.
Jesus then said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
This is not a slogan meaning “You don’t need Church; two people are enough.” It appears in a passage about reconciliation, ecclesial authority and prayer. Jesus says: when His people gather sincerely in His name, seeking truth, healing, forgiveness and God’s will, He Himself stands in their midst. An astonishing connection follows. Peter immediately asks, “Lord, how often must I forgive?” Jesus answers: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” So Matthew 18 moves from correction to forgiveness. That means the Christian process is not: “I caught you. I exposed you. I defeated you.” It is: “I love you. I will tell you the truth. I will walk with you. I want you back.”
In Galatians 6:1, Paul emphasises that those who are spiritual should gently restore someone who has fallen. James highlights that rescuing a sinner from wandering can save a life from death. Do you realise the significance of this? You might serve as someone’s watchman. Remaining silent could allow a loved one to head toward danger. However, your brave, loving, and humble words might be the means God uses to bring them back. Parents, speak honestly to your children with love. Friends, help your friends avoid harmful decisions. Couples, stop tallying wrongs; focus on healing. Church, let’s transform from a community that talks about people into one that talks to people.
But before you become somebody else’s watchman, stand before God and ask: “Lord, what are You asking me to change?” Perhaps today you are the one Ezekiel admonishes. Perhaps your heart has hardened. Perhaps there is someone you need to forgive. Perhaps there is someone you need to approach. Perhaps there is a truth you have been avoiding. Psalm 95 cries: “Today, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Not tomorrow. Today. The Holy Spirit is sounding the trumpet. Do not harden your heart.
Last Sunday, Jesus invited us to take up the Cross. Today, He demonstrates what dying to ourselves entails: sometimes it requires swallowing our pride and reaching out to our brother and sister. Other times, it involves accepting correction, forgiving, or speaking a painful truth because love refuses to abandon a soul.
Let our parish embody a community committed to truth without cruelty, correction with humility, forgiveness without boundaries, and love without fear. Holy Spirit, empower us to speak the truth bravely, accept correction humbly, and love passionately enough to advocate for each other’s salvation. May Christ truly be among us, transforming this parish from a congregation merely attending Mass into a family that refuses to let anyone face destruction alone. Amen.
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