HOMILY FOR TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (A)

Fr Billy Swan

Dear friends. The Scriptures for this 23^rd Sunday of ordinary time have to do with something we do not hear much about these days but nonetheless is very important for Christians, namely that of fraternal correction. In the time and age in which we live, it is true to say that fraternal correction is discouraged. We hear and use slogans to that effect: ‘Who are you to tell me what to do?’; ‘Who am I to tell you what to do?’; ‘Live and let live’. Yet behind these reasons for not challenging each other as perhaps we should, can lie an indifference to others and a reluctance to get involved in someone else’s life or problems. The readings this Sunday make it clear that courageous conversations are necessary and fraternal correction is important. The question is, how do we go about it?

From the First reading and the Gospel today, it is clear that for us as Christians, fraternal correction is necessary and good. If one of us goes down the wrong path in life and gets lost, it means that all of us have a role in helping them to find home again. Another way of saying this is that the work of the good shepherd takes place through us when, motivated by love and concern, we take responsibility at times for the lives of others.

This can apply to people we know who are heading for ruin through addiction, spiritual death or moral death. If this is the case then if I am a Christian, it is not possible for me to turn a blind eye. Out of love and concern I must intervene. But here comes the tricky part. If I intervene then how do I do it in a way that avoids conflict and risks being told to ‘butt out and mind my own business!’

Again the answer comes from the heart of the Scriptures. There are three golden rules to remember. First, we all need to receive fraternal correction first before we give it. We need to be open to it and we must not give it if we can’t take it. It works both ways. If I am not open to it then my first reaction will be defensive and one of anger that will prevent me from asking myself the important question: ‘Is there any truth in what is being said here to me? I might be finding this difficult to hear, but is it true?’ Only true humility allows us to ask this question with a realisation that I too have a lot to learn about myself and much to improve. We are always growing, maturing and sometimes we need to be challenged to help us change and grow. St Thomas a Becket once asked his friends: ‘Watch my behaviour carefully and warn me of my faults for four eyes can see better than two’.

Second, never challenge anyone else unless your heart is full of love for them. As St Paul says in the second reading: ‘Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour’. If we try to have a conversation in which we challenge another person then it will go wrong unless they know that what we are saying is coming out of our genuine love and concern for them. If the other person gets the slightest whiff that we are cutting at them or criticising them for the sake of it, then we can expect an angry reaction.

Third, if you are going to challenge someone, only do so in the measure that you are willing to help them improve. Don’t just dump stuff on people and then walk away. Even if what you say is true and you do it with love, unless you stick around to carry the burden with them, it will not work. We Christians are brothers and sisters, pilgrims on a common journey. We walk the mile and bear the load of those around us. Therefore, if we correct a brother or sister, frame it in such a way that assures them that life is a struggle in which we all share, that they are not on their own, that we will pray for them and be there for them in arriving at a solution and in helping them grow. We can be sure that unless we bear with the faults of others, few will have the patience with us when it is our turn to face our difficulties and failings. For this reason we should always err on the side of mercy and stay with those we have approached in love. Correction does much but encouragement does more.

Round and smooth stones were once rough stones. They were made smooth by rubbing off other stones. We knock the corners off each other by interacting in the family of faith and charity that is the Church. We are responsible for each other. Am I my brother’s or sister’s keeper? Absolutely! Let us help one another to change, mature and grow in holiness as we walk on the road of life and faith together.