The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday speaks of “fraternal correction.” That is, winning our brothers and sisters back to the Lord. The prophet Ezekiel was one of those who had been brought captive to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem in the year 597 BC. The Jews hoped for a quick turnaround from their captivity. Ezekiel constantly reminded them to mend their ways, to drop their superstitious belief of the protective power of the TEMPLE, moral change was necessary. He warned them to wake up and mend their evils ways, but at the same time encouraged them not to despair because God will restore Israel in time.

Roman chapter 12 and 13 contain the moral code of the letter. First, he speaks of Christian life as a spiritual service to God. How? 1.) By sanctification of personal life. 2.) By the proper use of spiritual graces received 3.) By brotherly and sisterly love of enemies 4.) By obedience to authorities appointed by God, last but surely not the least 5.) By LOVE, which is the fulfillment of all the Laws. Use the concept of the second coming as a motive for change or a moral conduct. “Love our neighbor” sums up the 5th – 10th Commandment. The commandment of love is the most universal, covers all other commandments to which we are all obliged. The Gospel is the second part on the Sermon on the Church, the first part emphasizing the “little ones.” The 2nd part speaks about our relationship with our brothers and sisters, how to correct them when they fall. About the rule of the Church: 1.) The rule of discipline. 2.) The power of biding and losing. 3.) The presence of Jesus in the Church. While the Old Testament text and the Qumran practices show a more juridical procedure, Jesus’ tone emphasizes “winning the other” back to God.

Matthew’s Gospel is called the Gospel of the Church

1. Jesus showed many times the real essence of the Church, that it is not a community of saints, but a community of those who want to be saints. God’s patience, compassion and His mercy allow Him to let the weeds and the wheat to grow together until harvest time. But this does not mean that we are to close our eyes to all the sins and faults of our brothers and sisters. We are a community; thus, we are responsible for one another, especially when the sin hurts the community.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us of the importance of fraternal correction that leads to reconciliation. The Kingdom of God is best exemplified not in us, as individual, but between and among us. The Cross is a very good reminder, that our relationship with God has two elements, the vertical and the horizontal element. First, is with God, but it does not stop there, it includes our brothers and sisters.

2. Fraternal correction has never been easy, even within a religious community, it’s still not easy. It’s so easy to ignore it, put it inside our closet or as we say, hide it under the rag. At times we would just dismiss it, to preserve peace, a false sense of peace. Sometimes we would intentionally just look the other way, or just say it’s none of our business. The Gospel tells us, or Jesus tells us that it’s also our business. Remember how Jesus entrusted to the Apostles the mission of His Church, we have the responsibility to build up the Kingdom of God.

Fraternal Correction is a responsibility. We must not give up, pointing out what is true and what is good. Blessed are they who continue to perform their prophetic role especially in these days, braving persecution and oppression, from non-believers and believers alike. Our consolation is His words: “Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 10:32)

To facilitate fraternal correction between husbands and wives a wise priest says: Use a “password” to signal that they need to talk about something. Words like “coffee,” “sandwich,” “heart to heart” whatever. For sure, there are more good things that can come out of it if we just try it, or start it, and believe that the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Jesus is the Emmanuel, the Lord with us, but also between us, and among us.

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